Curators of a new outdoor cinema and community event, ‘Cayman Drive-In’, are bringing the nostalgia of outdoor cinema back to the community with a soft launch which will open to the public on Boxing Day.
“The inspiration came from wanting to offer Cayman a unique entertainment experience that combines nostalgia with community fun. We love the charm of drive-ins and felt it was time to bring that magic to Cayman,” organisers told the Cayman Compass.
The Agricultural Grounds in Lower Valley will be the backdrop for the open-air movies, “designed for film lovers who want to experience the thrill of the big screen without the hustle of traditional theaters. We curate a selection of popular films that have recently completed their theatrical runs, giving you a second chance to enjoy favorites or discover hidden gems,” according to its website.
The opening week will feature the 1990 Christmas classic ‘Home Alone’ on 26-27 Dec., starting at 7pm. This will be followed by ‘Elf’, which will be shown on 28-29 Dec., also at 7pm.
“The agriculture grounds provide the ideal open space with a great location. It’s accessible and the natural backdrop adds to the cozy, outdoor movie experience we’re creating,” organisers noted.
A nod to the first drive-in cinema
The last drive-in movie cinema in Cayman, located in Bodden Town and owned by Buddy Wood and his family, was a cultural staple for many across the island more than six decades ago. The owners turned out its lights for good, but left many with fond memories.
One movie-goer of the former drive-in cinema told the Compass, “I remember very well, I [used to] sneak in there many nights in the trunk of the car.”
Another movie-goer recalled, “Whenever you saw traffic on the weekends headed east, they were going one of two places- Buddy Wood’s drive-in theatre which he named Everglo drive-in theatre or to the tunnel/basement of the Lighthouse restaurant in Breakers, a famous dance/night club spot.”
Twin brothers David and Chris Wight reminisced about teenage memories of the drive-in.
“Our father and mother used to take us on the weekend because we didn’t have any television. The first movie our parents took us to watch was ‘The Sound of Music’,” they told the Compass.
Cayman Drive-In organisers said, “bringing this back was incredibly meaningful. It’s a nod to our history while giving it a fresh twist for modern times. The nostalgia is such a beautiful way to connect generations in the community.”
A permanent fixture
Organisers also confirmed to the Compass they’re hoping the drive-in cinema will become a permanent fixture for the Cayman community.
“We’re starting with the holidays, but the goal is to make Cayman Drive-In a regular event. If the community loves it as much as we hope, we’d like to host screenings weekly starting in January 2025.”
Local vendors will be on-site for snacks and drinks. Attendees are encouraged to arrive early to get a good parking spot as spaces are limited. You’ll need an FM radio or smartphone for audio.
Tickets are $30 per carload. Visit their website or its Facebook page for more information.
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The Everglo certainly was a great tradition and very popular, especially with young couples and families. It’s a great idea to bring this back and I hope it does well.