The Mahoning Drive-In Theater will open its gates for its 76th season on Friday.

The 2025 season will get underway with the Drive-In’s traditional kickoff 35 mm double feature of The Wizard of Oz (1939) and Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (1971).

There will be an extra special added attraction this year, as actor Paris Themmen, “Mike Teavee” from Willy Wonka, appearing in person both nights to sell autographs and photos.

Both films will also play on Saturday night, with the order reversed.

The on-site season celebration will include costumed characters, a photo op courtesy of Robbie’s Balloons And More of Lehighton, a Golden Ticket Contest, and more of the immersive, film-loving festivities that lure attendees from across the country year after year. Gates will open at 6 p.m. each night, with films starting at sundown.

“We’re thrilled to be back,” said Virgil Cardamone, Mahoning operator and film booker. “It’s been a long six months in our off-season, and we can’t wait to welcome customers old and new back to the theater for another summer of classics under the stars, in a classic setting. We’ve been hard at work the last several weeks, getting the theater ready to welcome everyone to the 2025 season, making improvements throughout the property to make the customer experience even better than before.”

Cardamone said that the Mahoning has over 200 screenings in the works, spanning all genres, hitting the Mahoning Drive-In screen (one of the biggest on the east coast) between April and the last weekend in October, including annual events like Zombie Fest, Remake Double-Take (this year featuring the original 1932 version of The Mummy and its 1999 remake) and VHS Fest, as well as a Batman weekend, Muppets Take Mahoning III, Thursday Thread-Ups, Sunday daytime vendor markets, and more.

Mark Nelson, Mahoning General Manager, also expressed his excitement for the upcoming season.

“This season is going to have a lot of jaw-droppers for both our regulars and those who’ve been waiting for a reason to make the trip out to Lehighton,” Nelson said. “Partnerships with fan favorite entities in the world of cult cinema, celebrity guests, and on-screen introductions by film scholars, filmmakers and more will add a bit of spice to already fun shows.”

The Mahoning Drive-In is the only Drive-In theater in the country whose programming is comprised entirely of 35 mm classic films, and its unique programming and showmanship has made it the subject of many news pieces and inquiries from around the globe.

A full list of events and ticket links can be found at www.mahoningdit.com or on their Facebook page.

Anyone interested in learning more about the theater, contact Cardamone at 215-450-5914.

The Mahoning Drive-In Theater is located at 635 Seneca Road, Lehighton. It was built in 1947, and opened for its first season in 1949.