PEORIA — It’s been a long time since a drive-in movie theater has operated in the Peoria area.

In 1990, the Peoria area’s only drive-in movie theater, Starlite Drive-In, 1124 Edgewater Dr., Pekin, was destroyed by a fire.
For the past 22 years, Peoria area residents have traveled to various drive-in movie theaters in central Illinois, including theaters in Galva, Gibson City, Sterling, Galesburg, Earlville, and Springfield.
Peoria area residents no longer have to travel 50 plus miles to go to a drive-in movie theater.

On Friday, Landmark Cinemas, 3225 N. Dries Ln., Peoria, opened a drive-in movie theater in an overflow parking lot, located north of its 12-screen theater complex. 

The overflow parking lot has been patched and restriped, and holds just more than 200 cars. On the edge of the overflow parking lot, a wooden frame has been constructed to hold a temporary 24-foot-by-54-foot portable screen. Films are digitally projected on the portable screen. To receive sound, patrons tune into an FM radio station.
Instead of screening first-run movies, the drive-in theater is screening classic movies.
“First-run films are not being considered at this time,” said Landmark Recreation Center General Manager Bill Lanzotti. “We are already showing all of the first-run movies right next door at Landmark Cinemas and we are not trying to compete with ourselves. We believe the market for a drive-in is going to be driven by nostalgia, and people are going to come out more for the ‘experience,’ rather than to see a specific movie.”
Landmark Cinemas screens a double feature, including a children’s movie followed by a PG-13 rated movie, every night at the drive-in theater, starting at dusk.
“We normally will try to show an animated kids movie first on the double feature and then follow up with a classic movie that will have instant name recognition,” said Lanzotti. “The same double feature will be shown for the week and then a new double feature will open the following Friday.”
During its first week of operation, Aug. 24-31, Landmark Cinemas is screening a double feature that includes “Shrek” and “American Graffiti” at the drive-in theater.
Currently, concessions at the drive-in theater are limited to candy and bottled drinks. Patrons can purchase popcorn as well as other foods and beverages at the indoor entrance of Landmark Cinemas.
Landmark Cinemas plans to screen double features at the drive-in theater seven nights a week, before they close for the winter.
“We are planning to show movies seven nights a week, since we are opening so late in the season,” said Lanzotti. “As long as people continue to come out during the week, we will continue as long as the weather permits. If on the other hand, hardly any customers are attending during the week, we will probably cut back on the number of days. Labor Day will most likely be the time frame we will use to evaluate whether it is economical to continue operating seven days a week.”
While the drive-in theater is closed for the winter, Landmark Cinemas officials will determine whether they want to improve or upgrade the drive-in theater in 2013.
“From the initial response we have been getting from people, we believe there is a real enthusiasm for bringing a drive-in back to Peoria after all these years,” said Lanzotti. “The unknown is how long this pent up demand will last. That is why we are trying to just do a ‘bare bones’ operation at the end of the season, so that we can evaluate whether the concept can be successful for a long period of time. If we think it will be, then we will have all winter to work on upgrades and improvements for a grand opening next spring.”
Admission fees for the drive-in theater are $5 per adult and $3 per child, with a maximum of $20 per carload.