Illinois drive-in hopes to make digital switch

NEWTON, Ill. — The owners of a southeastern Illinois drive-in theater say they have to make an expensive conversion from film to digital projection. And they’re trying to raise the money to do it.

Larry and Melody McGrath own the Fairview Drive-In in Newton. The town is 90 miles south of Champaign.

According to the Mattoon Journal-Gazette, the drive-in has raised about $2,700 toward the $50,000 the owners need to make the switch.

Drive-ins around the country are trying to make the conversion to digital projection because film versions of movies aren’t expected to be available much longer.

Manager Brittany McGrath hopes to have the money by the end of the year so the work can begin before the theater reopens in May. The Fairview closes from September through April.