DIXON – Four more digital projectors will be donated to drive-ins across the United States in an online contest sponsored by Honda.
Could the Midway Drive-In between Sterling and Dixon be next?
In an effort “to preserve an iconic part of American car culture,” Honda donated five digital projectors to drive-ins that gained the most votes online, including one in McHenry.
Now, the car company’s website says, because of the success of the first go-round, four more will be announced at 8 a.m. Monday.
The other previous winners were in Saco, Maine; Honor, Mich.; Graham, Texas; and Newberg, Ore.
The majority of drive-in theaters could face closure with the movie industry’s switch from film to digital projectors. Upgrading to digital projection costs about $80,000.
Mike and Mia Kerz, owners of the 63-year-old Midway Drive-In, said they would need $125,000 to make the switch.
They started their own fundraising campaign last fall. They fell short of their initial $40,000 goal, raising only $7,536, but still are collecting donations at the drive-in.
To vote
Go to projectdrivein.com/vote_80 to vote for Midway Drive-In, and to learn more about Honda's project. People can vote once a day, leading up to Monday's announcement.
People can also make pledges to the project. The website says Honda had received 35,355 pledges as of Monday afternoon, totaling $36,641 in contributions.
