NORTH WHITEHALL TWP., Pa. — Shankweiler's Drive-In Theatre's 90th anniversary celebration will have to wait another day.
With former President Donald Trump scheduled to hold a rally less than a mile away at the Schnecksville Fire Hall that same Saturday, drive-in owners Matthew McClanahan and Lauren McChesney opted to move the celebration to Sunday.
The nation's oldest operating drive-in, at 4540 Shankweiler Road in Orefield, will not be open Saturday, April 14.
McClanahan said news releases about the rally announced late last week suggested many nearby road closures this coming Saturday around the same time as the drive-in's celebration. Rather than risk the odds of the drive-in being mostly inaccessible to the public, the couple chose to postpone the celebration.
The pair also took to Facebook to notify their "dedicated" customers.
"The surprise rally was definitely not on our 2024 bingo card, but we will do what we can to give this historic theater (and our community) the proper celebration we promised!" the post said.
Customers have been more than excited and understanding, McLanahan said.
That, and local townships posting updates to spread the word, have boosted their morale after scrambling to rearrange plans they made around five months ago.
"This must be so frustrating for you!," Dianne Houck said in a Facebook comment.
"So sorry this happened to you and your plans to celebrate the drive-in theatre my great grandfather started. Best of luck as you try to rearrange things. My family is very appreciative for all you have done to keep Shankweiler's Drive-In Theatre alive!"
"So sorry guys," Manish Patel said in a comment. "But you show everyone how to put a smile on any situation."
Birthday festivities
"Shankweiler's is still going to turn 90, whether we celebrate this week or next," McLanahan said.
The celebration will pay homage to the theatre's origins in 1934, he said, which will feature movies on a bed sheet tied between two poles, just like Wilson Shankweiler once did.
"The birthday itself, the first day that it was opened was April 15, so as long as we get it in that week we're excited," McChesney said. "It's such a special occasion, I'm really happy we're able to celebrate it."
Tickets, at $8 per child and $12 per adult, are good for both movies, he added, noting that customers tend to leave after the intermission.
On Sunday, Shankweiler's will open at 5 p.m. and begin showing "Twister" from 1996 at 8 p.m., followed by the newly-released "Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire" at 10 p.m.
McLanahan said they chose to show "Twister" because of the sequel "Twisters," which is set to be released in July, and because they simply like the movie.
"It's our party and we can show what we want to," McLanahan said with a smile.
That party will also include vintage cars from the Center of American Automotive Heritage in Allentown, raffles, a magical appearance by Mark Mysterrio and themed drinks by County Seat Spirits.
For those who can't make it, the drive-in will show the same movies the following Thursday and Friday.
Tickets for the anniversary celebration are available for purchase on the theatre's website.
