AESI - AESI Assisting First Outdoor Digital Drive-In Movie Theater In USA

		AESI Assisting First Outdoor Digital Drive-In Movie Theater In USA Project To Open In Washington County, MD MEDIA RELEASE Contact: Alan Ackerman or Nancy Davis, American Family Entertainment, LLC, 443-629-8990 or 877-540-0992 Elmer Wachter, Mason Dixon Dragway 21003 National Pike (Route 40) Boonsboro Maryland 21713, phone: 301-791-5193 www.masondixondragway.com E-Mail: AmericanFamEnt@aol.com or Dragway1@aol.com FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Season Drive-In Movie Theater Planned for Mason Dixon Dragway, Project Will Be First Outdoor Digital Drive-In Movie Theater In USA, Movies to Run on Friday and Sunday Nights (Hagerstown, MD July 7, 2003) -- Owners of the Mason Dixon Dragway and American Family Entertainment (AFE) have announced plans to operate a seasonal drive-in movie theater called "The Mason -Dixon Drive-In Theatre" on the property of the Mason Dixon Dragway. According to the owner's of American Family Entertainment, Alan Ackerman and Nancy Davis, "We're very excited to be able to open this outdoor movie attraction in Washington County. We will have the very first outdoor digital drive-in theater equipment in operation in the US, and this seems to be a perfect fit for the Mason Dixon Dragway." The drive-in movie theater will operate at the dragway on Route 40 (East of Hagerstown), and will utilize existing parking and amenities. "The dragway already has plenty of parking, bathrooms, a concession stand, security, and many other things needed to make this project work. We plan on hosting drive-in movies on Friday and Sunday nights, after the drag races have finished. Movie goers will listen to the movie over their car radios or portable FM radios, and see movies digitally projected upon a temporary 50-foot screen." Ackerman also said that there is only going to be parking for a little over 300 vehicles. "While the dragway usually attracts over 900 cars, and thousands of race fans on race days, we're using a special parking area on the south side of the track that will be for our movie goers." Elmer Wachter is the owner of the Mason Dixon Dragway. With the very wet spring and early summer, Wachter says business has been difficult, "It's been very challenging -- with ten of twelve racing weekends experiencing rainy weather and wet conditions. I have always been looking for a way to add value to this recreational facility, and the drive-in movie theatre seems to be a perfect use for the dragway, after hours." Wachter said that he had contacted American Family Entertainment, upon reading about a drive-in movie theatre project under development in another area by (AFE). "It seems to me that drive-in movie theatres are making a come back. I'm moving ahead with these plans to open a temporary drive-in movie theater, using an inflatable screen, which can be set up and taken down in about an hour. We certainly have the space for such a venture, and I am hoping that there are a lot of movie goers in the area who'd want to give this a try." Wachter said that there have been several recent articles about the increased popularity of drive-in theaters. USAToday and other newspapers have covered the recent renaissance of drive-in theaters. I know of a lot of people who drive up to Newville or Carlisle or Baltimore to go to drive-in theaters. I am hopeful that between the race fans who already come to the track, and also people from the public, that this project will be successful." Both the owners of the movie company and the dragway say that the drive-in movies will feature family entertainment. Alan Ackerman said, "Look at the name of my company (AFE). We have secured the rights to exhibit motion pictures in a public venue, but I have chosen to never show X-rated movies. I want everyone to know that there won't be X-rated movies ever shown at a movie theater that I am involved with." Ackerman said that as a family-man that he would also not condone inappropriate behavior, either. "We will have extra security, and be vigilant to ensure that there are no problems. Elmer and I, in setting up this partnership project, both agreed that we want to add value to our community. We do not want there to be any disruptions to the area." Wachter echoed the statement when he pointed out, "I run a dragway. It's a business I take great pride in, and I have very few problems. I will not allow there to be problems because of this movie theater project." Alcohol is not allowed at the dragway. Wachter also said that running a dragway, and running a drive-in seemed like a good match. "It's about people, and their love of cars. While there probably won't be any people watching movies from a parked race car, I won't rule it out!" Wachter said that racing would have finished well before the showing of movies. Excitement about the movie theater project has been felt throughout the community. Ben Hart, the President and CEO of the Hagerstown-Washington County Convention and Visitors Bureau said, "We have extended our support of plans to create a temporary Drive-In Movie Theatre at the Mason-Dixon Dragway. The Bureau is constantly looking for projects of this nature, which enhance the diversity of the travel product in Washington County. The bottom line is, the more activity outlets we can provide potential visitors, the more likely they are to spend time in Washington County. The introduction of the drive in theatre to a new generation is unique, as is this opportunity." The Executive Director of the Hagerstown-Washington County Economic Development Commission, Tim Troxell, also lent his support to the project, "We believe this project has the ability to create benefits for clients of the speedway as well as for the business, too. With the very wet spring and summer we have had, the weather has negatively affected the speedway business --- and this project offers the potential of attracting additional income. The retention of existing business and attraction of new cultural amenities in Washington County is very important to our agency and this project appears to help achieve both of those goals. For these reasons, the Hagerstown-Washington County Economic Development Commission supports the development of this drive in movie theater project." The Washington County Planning Commission approved the seasonal drive-in movie theater project, at its July 7th meeting. According to the owners of the venture, the plans are to have a grand opening on Friday July 18th. The Friday and Sunday movies will continue through the fall. Show times will be dependent on the timing of dusk, and will usually include a double-feature for one price. Associated Engineering Sciences, Inc. served as site plan design consultants, and assisted with the permit process. # # # # Alan Ackerman / President Nancy Davis / C.E.O. American Family Entertainment, LLC Bumpers Drive-In Theatre www.bumpers-drivein.com http://hometown.aol.com/americanfament/myhomepage/index.html << back to news