The popular Harvest Moon Drive-In at Gibson City is cemebrating its 70th Birthday.  A special weekend showing of the 'Lion King' invites visitors to enjoy the big, outdoor screens.  USA Today recently revealed the Harvest Moon earned a 2nd Best Drive In  in the country. 

A Central Illinois landmark is celebrating their platinum anniversary Tuesday.

The theater encountered countless challenges during its run, under new ownership since 1989.  Weather-related damage and aging infrastructure led to issues.  Some more recent adversities the drive-in overcame include the conversion to digital equipment and the COVID-19 pandemic. Today, the Harvest Moon is one of just 275 drive-in theatres still operating.  

Still, Harvest Moon officials are thankful to survive. They estimate while around 4,000 drive-in theater screens were built between 1940’s and the 1960’s, only around 275 drive-ins are still in operation today.

Earlier this year, Harvest Moon ranked as the second best drive-in in the nation in a USAToday poll.

To commemorate its birthday, the theater offered a one-night only $7 admission fee Tuesday.  This weekend, the 'Lion King' is featured with other birthday prize give-aways.  Tickets are available online at the gate.

94.1 WGFA