We are approaching a point in time where the vintage ways of consuming entertainment and modern technology are converging: record players, classic rock and Polaroid cameras being a few examples. The people of Jackson have a new item to add to that list: drive-in theaters.
Since the pandemic started back in March 2020, the Tennessee Safari Park has seen crowds that they have never seen before. Because customers drive through the park instead of walking, being socially distanced was already built into the experience. Since they are the only business of this kind in West Tennessee, people from all over swarmed in to see all of the exotic animals the park had to offer.
The park decided to capitalize on this opportunity by adding a drive-in theater, an activity also involving staying in your vehicle.
Before, the only option for a drive-in theater was Birdsong Drive-In Theater in Camden, Tenn. For Jacksonians, this was going to be an hour-long drive to see a two-hour movie before driving another hour home.
The Tennessee Safari Park opened their new addition on March 26 by showing the film “Jurassic Park” while also bringing in a replica of the Jeep used in the movie.
I was given the opportunity to attend a movie with the staff on a day that was closed off to the public.
Pulling onto the road the park is located on, there is an instant rush of sounds coming from a variety of animals you would otherwise never see or hear in West Tennessee.
Between the time being around 8 p.m. and the shade from the trees looming over the road, it was fairly dark. I almost missed the sign showing the way to the theater, had I not run into what I assume was the one of the owner’s children driving a Polaris complete with neon lights beneath it.
“Hey, I’m trying to get to the drive-in for the movie tonight, where am I supposed to go?”
“You’re here for what?”
“I’m writing an article about y’all’s new theatre for my school. Caleb said he told y’all about me.”
Caleb is my brother and one of the staff members of the park.
“Oh okay, just follow me.”
As we approached the screen, I was able to see it over the trees that separated the lot from the road. I have always preferred drive-in theaters over traditional ones. Mostly because I’m able to bring McDonald’s without having to hide it.
I walked into the kiosk because it looked like that’s where everyone was convening for food before the movie.
“Hey guys, my name is Andrew. I’m Caleb’s brother.”
“Oh hey! Yeah, he said you would be coming! You want some pizza?”
“Nah, I’m good. Thanks though.”
I already had McDonald’s in the car waiting for me.
We had gotten to know each other a little before they started the movie, and it felt more like a family in their home instead of a workplace. It was obvious that they had all worked there so long that it had become much more than a job for these people.
They informed me that they had decided to watch “Deep Blue Sea 3.” I haven’t seen the first two, but it was a shark movie so I couldn’t have missed much. “I voted on watching ‘Ted,’ but they wouldn’t do it,” said the owner as he quickly walked by.
Once we had all gotten into our own cars, the movie was started. The movie itself wasn’t anything to write home about, but the experience made up for it by allowing me to be comfortable in my car, setting the temperature to what I wanted, eating my McDouble and controlling the volume of the movie.
It would take a lot to make the experience better than it already was.
Showtimes and more information can be found on their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/tennesseesafaridriveintheater/.
