Harvest Moon Drive-in still a major attraction

Gibson City is one community where families can still sit together in lawn chairs and watch a motion picture under the stars.

The story of the Harvest Moon Drive-in began in 1953, when local businessman Clifford Orr purchased land south of the city. Orr spent $65,000 to develop a drive-in that had the largest screen in the area, which was made of plaster.

When it opened in 1954, the first film was "Pride of the Bluegrass," starring Lloyd Bridges.

In September 1965, a tornado destroyed part of the screen and tore off the concession stand roof. Orr listed the movie for that night as "Gone With the Wind."

The Harvest Moon reopened a year later, but attendance dwindled. It closed in 1977. Bob Hugel of Paxton leased it and reopened for three years, closing in 1982.

But it opened its doors again in June 1989, when businessman Mike Harroun of Onarga leased the facility. The first film shown there was "Bull Durham," starring Kevin Costner.

"I thought owning a drive-in would be a good investment," Harroun said. "It's a whole different experience. There's something better about seeing a movie outside on a lawn with the kids playing nearby."

In 1996, the owner acquired the screen from the former Clinton Drive-in, and The Harvest Moon became a twin screen facility.

Today, it employs eight. Admission is $6; children under 6 are free.