The Mahoning Drive-In Theater in Mahoning Township will celebrate its 75th anniversary on Thursday, coinciding with National Drive-In Day.

In conjunction with the Carbon Chamber and Economic Development Corp., the drive-in will mark the special occasion with a ribbon-cutting and birthday party featuring a 35 mm double feature of “April Showers” and “Jurassic Park.”

Doors open at 6 p.m. Guests can enjoy special preshow attractions, including: The Salty Sea Circus entertaining families and a ribbon cutting celebration before sundown, as well as the introduction of state and local representatives, era specific live DJ, raffle prizes and more.

The theater will also be implementing “retro pricing” with all general admission tickets priced at only $1 per person. General admission and extended pass allows guests to camp and stay until noon the following day is $11 per person. All events are rain or shine. No refunds or transfers.

Virgil Cardamone, the owner, operator and curator at the drive-in, said, “The Mahoning Drive-In theater’s success and milestone does not just solidify the area has a nostalgic showplace. “It proves that the power of the drive-in culture is strong beyond our area and has a viable future in the theatrical landscape in this country.

“In 10 short years under our retro programming run, we have become a legend in the industry as America’s only full time 35 mm drive-in. Not only embraced by all major studios, but celebrated by Hollywood hosting countless guests for our events. Every single show we present is beyond a classic double bill. It is an effort toward preservation of our beloved 35 mm format and push to attract lifelong drive-in fans.

“This milestone is made that much sweeter as our theater overcame several blows: Our downed marquee in 2018, our damaged screen in 2019, our potential buy out from solar farm Green Skies, and the passing of our longtime leader this season. We were able to fully reestablish the business to get us open and save our 75th season.”

In April, Jeff Mattox, the owner and projectionist for the drive-in, died. Mattox was 65.

Cardamone added, “It is those fans who have taken the Mahoning Mission into their lives and hearts that built our popularity each season. And we now have a clear path for our next 75 years.

“The support on a local and state level has been so essential in our success story.

“But the incredible staff make the magic happen each and every night. They deserve all the credit in getting our engine restarted this year. I’m beyond honored to represent this dream come true for so many.”

The Mahoning Valley Drive-In Auto-Theatre began entertaining customers from Lehighton, Pennsylvania and beyond on Friday, April 29, 1949, with two showtimes of a single feature, the Warner Bros. vaudeville comedy “April Showers” (1948), starring Jack Carson and Ann Southern.

At that time, the Mahoning screen was a 70-foot square, 750 in-car speakers lined the rows, and bottle warming service was available to parents with babies.

Now the CinemaScope screen is 110 square feet.

The original “Jurassic Park,” was the first retro title shown in the Mahoning’s current all-retro, all-35mm era 10 years ago, kicking off the second life of this grand old showplace where generations of memories have been made.

For more information visit: www.carboncountychamber.org or phone at 610-379-5000.