Drive 815 now open for movies under the stars

Jalen Ponder, owner of Evendtor, a local corporate events business, is excited about bringing drive-in movies back to the area again this summer. Once a family-oriented outdoor favorite, drive-ins were falling by the wayside, but are slowly becoming popular again.

Ponder, a 2020 graduate of Hononegah Community High School, has partnered with Greg Gerard from the Beloit International Film Fest (BIFF) in bringing the huge pop-up movie screen to the area and co-sponsoring Drive 815.

In 2021, the fledgling outdoor movie theater brought many families to the Rockton Athletic Fields on 12801 Old River Road in Rockton.

This year, the word is out. Drive 815 (Cinema from the Car) opened the 2022 season on June 24-25, with Encanto on Friday evening, and Spiderman -No Way Home on Saturday.

Coming to the Rockton drive-in: Sonic 2 on July 15 and Jungle Cruise on July 16.

Ponder said movies start at sunset - around 8:30 p.m. - but suggests that families come at 6:30 p.m. to enjoy the activities available on the grounds.

Families might want to picnic from their car, or enjoy pizza from Pizza Fresca food truck parked on the grounds.

Games, music and balloon-tying will keep the kids busy until the sun starts to go down.

Then it’s show time!

Cost of admission is $25 per carload, or $20 with an early bird pass.

Look for information about upcoming movies on Facebook.

• Box office will open once the line of cars at the entrance reaches the roads or 6:30 PM- Whichever occurs first.
  Please note that they do have bathrooms and concessions on-site
  Movies show approximately at 8:30 PM or sunset

Drive 815 is now in its second year and is doing well. The family friendly entertainment venue offers Cinema from your car every Friday and Saturday night through September at the Rockton Athletic Field on Old River Rd. in Rockton. Admission is $25 per carload.

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