30 in 30 Update: We watched Batman and Dark Shadows at the Mustang Drive-in Theatre last night. I didn’t quite make it through both movies, but the place was awesomely fantastic and fun.

When we arrived 40 minutes early, right at sunset, the lot was already filled with carfuls of families with blankies, pillows, dogs, and kids in pyjamas. More kids were prancing around the grass and pogo sticking. Old songs played on the radio and the snack bar had an original-looking poster of Yoda.

At showtime the projectionist’s voice came over the radio with announcements to Please turn off your headlights and Please respect your neighbours, don’t litter… and  I’m not going to force you to sit through advertisements, we only advertise what we sell followed by a retro ad for popcorn. We also had to get out and stand for the National Anthem while watching a montage of flying birds, maple leafs, smiling children, white water canoers, and other feel-good bits of Canadiana.

The night was perfectly clear and starry. Big Dipper floated to the right of the screen and a crescent moon got oranger and sunk into the horizon to the left. I might have watched as much of the sky as the movie because the Batman villain’s spidery face mask muffled his words and I couldn’t always tell what was going on.

I’ll arrive earlier and have a picnic before the show next time!