The Graham Drive-In has won one of five prize packages to upgrade their equipment to digital! The contest was done through Honda, who recognizes that many drive-ins across the country won’t be able to upgrade their equipment to keep up with formatting changes. The drive-in, which has been open since 1948, is facing about $130,000 worth of upgrades that they wouldn’t be able to easily afford.

Honda posted this on the contest Web site:

At the end of the year, the majority of American drive-in theaters will face closure with the movie industry’s switch from film to digital. Upgrading to digital projection costs roughly $80,000.

We want to preserve this iconic part of American car culture. So we’re taking the first step by starting a drive-in fund and donating 5 digital projectors. Your votes decided where they went.
Here are 3 things you can still do right now to help prevent drive-ins from fading to black.

The 1950s is when drive-ins were at their peak with an estimated 4,000 to 5,000 theaters in operation. It is now believed that there are only 355 operational drive-ins in the United States, with 17 of those located in Texas. The Graham Drive-In was one of 50 businesses that took part in the contest, with people voting both online and through texts for approximately one month.

The voting closed on September 9 and Honda has been announcing one winner per day. The drive-in posted on their Facebook page “WE WON! More info coming. THANK YOU!” That post was followed up with:

LET'S PARTY! 5pm thank you/pep rally tonight at the drive-in, then Smurfs 2, also tonight at 8. Free popcorn and drinks while they last - all to say THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU! WE COULD NOT HAVE IT DONE WITHOUT EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU!

The Graham Drive-In plans to stay open during the fall and winter months, though their line-up will depend upon weather and availability of films. You can keep up with their schedule on their Facebook page or Web site.

More From 92.9 NiN