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s e r v i n g m i d va l l e y & u p pe r l ac k awa n n a va l l e y thevalleyadvantage.com | oct. 14, 2016
Singer Judy Jaymes will perform in a benefit concert |Page 4
Lynnette’s Twirlerettes are headed for the Sugar Bowl |Page 7
Reaper’s Revenge is donating some scares to charities |Page 10
The Really Big ScReen Circle Drive-In experimenting with NFL football By Josh McAuliffe
sPeciAl To The VAlley ADVANTAGe Gridiron fanatics are plenty used to watching “Monday Night Football” from a bar stool or the comfort of their living room recliner. But what about their car?
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That might sound far-fetched, but it’s now a real possibility, thanks to the folks at Circle Drive-In Theatre in Dickson City. As part of its ever-expanding list of attractions, the drive-in movie theater is now showing ESPN’s “Monday Night Football” on its 50-by-100-foot big screen. Circle started showing the games Sept. 19 and will continue screening them until Oct. 24, according to manager Dave Castelli. Admission is $10 per car. So far, turnout for the games has been light, but Castelli believes the idea will hold appeal to football fans as word continues to get out — especially games featuring local fans’ favorite teams, like the Philadelphia Eagles, Pittsburgh Steelers and New York Giants. Castelli said he and Circle Drive-In owner Mike Delfino decided to test the idea out for a couple of games last year, believing there might be a niche for it. “We thought it was a great idea, especially because a lot of bars and restaurants are closed on Monday,” Castelli said. “We’re kind of diversifying ourselves and extending our fall season.” As far as Castelli can tell, Circle is the only drive-in in the country showing Monday Night Football. A licensing agreement from the NFL was required in order to show the games, he said. The games are just one of a number of ways the drivein is trying to expand its list of attractions beyond movies and its popular Sunday flea market.
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The big screen at the Circle Drive-In has been showing Monday Night Football.
Of course, the drive-in has become well known for its annual Halloweenthemed Circle of Screams Haunted Attraction. Running every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 6 to 11 p.m. through the end of the month, including Halloween night, the attraction features four components aimed at scaring the wits out of kids and adults alike — the Hayride of Torture, Carnival of Fear 3D, Asylum Vortex and a free horror movie screening. (For more information, visit circleofscreams.com.) In addition, Circle recently screened the snowboarding documentary, “The Fourth Phase,” and has hosted fundraisers for organizations like the YMCA and the Lackawanna Historical Society, which for the past two years has been screening classic Hollywood movies at the drive-in. Meanwhile, for the second consecutive year, the drive-in will host local Penn State alumni for a tailgate party and screening of the Penn State-Ohio State
game on Saturday, Oct. 22, beginning at 5 p.m. Admission to the event is $10 per carload and $20 per RV. Despite cool temperatures, last year’s tailgate drew a full parking lot of Nittany Lions fans, Castelli said. “People were barbecuing, they were tailgating, they brought beer up. They were having a great time,” he said. “These things are more community events, if anything.” Moving forward, Castelli sees the drive-in continuing to add special events to its roster, with concerts a real possibility. It’s just good business sense in these changing times, he said. “We’re going to throw everything up against the wall and see what sticks,” he said. “That’s what’s changing about our industry — you have to be a destination.” For more information on the games and other Circle Drive-In events, call 570489-5731 or visit circledrive-in.com or the drive-in’s Facebook page.