Drive-in ready to 'reel' them in for another season

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Nostalgia.

That’s the word that comes up a few times as Don Monahan discusses not only the upcoming season for the Sussex Drive-In but its staying power in the community since it first started showing movies back in 1967. While drive-ins saw their heydays in the 1970s and early ’80s, some remain across the country – including two others in New Brunswick as well as Monahan’s operation –  and continue to attract movie lovers, families and those just looking to either relive the past or experience it for the first time.

“It is very nostalgic,” Monahan said. “A lot of people tailgate when they come. They’ll park backwards, open their hatch backs, they arrive super early and people make it a family outing. It’s a great experience from that standpoint and we’re playing brand new movies. We’re playing the same movies that you’d view at Cineplex and you’re getting two movies for the price of one.”

Those prices, which start on May 10 when the drive-in officially launches its 2024 season, are $13 for an adult and $9 for children. When the season progresses and movies are shown on Sundays, the drive-in does a carload rate where customers can fill their vehicle with as many people as there are seatbelts in it for $35. Also, when the Tuesday cheap nights begin, showing only one movie, prices drop to $7 for adults and $5 for children.

The drive-in operates only on Friday and Saturday nights for the months of May, June, September and October. In July and August the operation expands to include Sunday and Tuesday.

This season also marks the second time the drive-in will play host to the Sussex Fundy Fest. The event, scheduled for July 19 and 20, will feature 10 musical artists over the two days with Sussex native Julian Austin and Tim Hicks serving as the headliners.

‘We’re pretty excited and pumped to have those two come and play at the second annual edition of Fundy Fest,” said Monahan.

Serving as co-owner of the drive-in since 2019, Monahan said he decided he wanted a part of the drive-in because he saw opportunity to make it “bigger and better” and he envisioned seeing music festivals at the site to fill a gap in the community.

“It kind of helps and gives back to the community because in the month of August, that third weekend, we see the annual Sussex Flea Market and we have the Balloon Fiesta in September but there’s always been a void in the month of July,” he said, noting that’s where the Fundy Fest fits in. “It fills up the community, it fills up the restaurants, it fills up the hotels, there’s money spent at the gas stations, the grocery stores… It’s a win-win for everyone.”