Alison James, Columnists, Opinion
 By  Alison James Published 
4:45 pm Thursday, June 27, 2019

Drive-in movie night kicks off summer

Summer arrived June 21, and my husband and I kicked off the season by going somewhere in Franklin County I hadn’t been before: the King Drive-In.

This destination wasn’t even on my Franklin County 2019 bucket list. Why on earth wasn’t it?

Let me tell you, if you haven’t been to the drive-in, you’re missing an experience. There is just something so nostalgic somehow about pulling into an outdoor spot, loading up on some greasy good and watching a good flick.

The drive-in theater in the town where I went to high school has gone through its spells of being in operation and being closed down, so I love that the King Drive-In has been open for so many years. It’s a real tribute to our community’s dedication to supporting local businesses and entertainment options.

We rolled through the main gate about a quarter to 8 p.m. Friday night, and the field splayed out in front of the outdoor movie screen was already filling with families excited for “Toy Story 4.” The show wasn’t set to begin until closer to 8:30 p.m., but I knew we should have gotten there earlier. Nevertheless, we found ourselves in a pretty good spot caddy-corner to the concession stand and headed to choose our selection of movie treats.

The air inside was thick with the smell of popcorn butter and the heat of the kitchen, from which hamburgers, hotdogs and chili cheese fries were calling our name.

Armed with two cheeseburgers, a water (for him) and a Reese’s and diet Coke (for me) we headed back to the car to run the A/C until closer to movie time. We both enjoyed our dinner, and the prices weren’t bad either. I had to admit I was surprised; it’s the kind of place you expect to be price gouged, but I everything was reasonable.

Christopher went back for popcorn and made it back to the car just as the previews were starting. Around us the field had finished filling, with people lounging in their hatchbacks, kicked back in lawn chairs in their truck beds or, like us, chilling in the front seat.

Lights off, windows down, radio up – it was time for a night at the movies under the stars.

It was a little warm for hubby, but other than that, it was the perfect night. Lightning flashed somewhere in the distance as Andy and Buzz Lightyear tried to navigate their way through another toy disaster, but the ominous weather never made good on its threat. We laughed like kids at the hilarious hijinks Pixar dreamed up for the latest installment of Toy Story, and we genuinely enjoyed our evening.

Every week King Drive-In shares its line-up for the week in our newspaper, and every week I think, “That would be fun. We should do that.”

I’m really glad we finally did.

Also on Franklin County Times
Thorpe to play at Blue Mountain Christian
High School Sports, News, Russellville, ...
Brannon King For the FCT 
July 16, 2025
RUSSELLVILLE – Brennon Thorpe made his plans official to attend Blue Mountain Christian University and play baseball for the Toppers during a recent s...
Russellville High Class of 1967 gathers, reminisces
Columnists, News, Opinion, ...
HERE AND NOW
July 16, 2025
You can’t really go back to the good old days of high school, but you can pay them a visit now and then. That’s exactly what the RHS Class of 1967 has...
Former Cypress Lakes official to lead Guntersville State Park
Lifestyles, News
Bernie Delinski For the FCT 
July 16, 2025
GUNTERSVILLE — Heath Puckett had an Auburn University degree and golf course superintendent certification in his pocket when he arrived at Cypress Lak...
European travel builds bonds across cultures
Lifestyles, News, Russellville, ...
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
July 16, 2025
RUSSELLVILLE -- A group of Franklin County travelers spent nine days this summer walking through catacombs, exploring castles and standing in places w...
Little Free Library welcomes readers in East Franklin
Lifestyles, News, Phil Campbell
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
July 16, 2025
PHIL CAMPBELL — Eleven-year-old Aiden Hall is an avid reader, but he doesn’t just want to read books. He also wants to share them, and the way he deci...
King becomes elementary curriculum director
Lifestyles, Russellville
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
July 16, 2025
RUSSELVILLE — Molly King says every child can learn, though not necessarily in the same way or on the same day — a belief she plans to carry into her ...
New Junior Leaders begin their training
Franklin County, News
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
July 16, 2025
FRANKLIN COUNTY — Forty-two high school students from across Franklin County are beginning 10 months of hands-on leadership training and community ser...
Fire destroys 2-story garage, guest suite
Main, News, Russellville, ...
Kevin Taylor For the FCT 
July 16, 2025
R U S S E L LV I L L E – Jason Gist leaned against the wall of his home with a look of disgust while dozens of firefighters worked to extinguish a fir...

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Latest Stories
July 4, 2025Augusto Simon Diaz, 42, of Russellville, passed away July 4. Visitation and funeral were held at Spry Memorial Chapel on July 12 from 2pm ...
July 16, 2025
July 8, 2025Jamie Kerby Cummings, 41, of Russellville, passed away on July 8. Visitation took place July 13, at Spry Memorial Chapel from 1 pm to 3pm....
July 16, 2025
July 11,2025Julie “JuJu” Welch Black, 63, of Russellville, passed away on July 11.Graveside service was held at 1pm on July 13, at Belgreen Cemetery w...
July 16, 2025
July 9, 2025Scott Noel Benford, age 58, of Muscle Shoals, passed away on July 9. Visitation was held at Pinkard Funeral Home in Russellville on July 1...
July 16, 2025