Mitch Traphagen Photo
This week marks the end of the 35mm film era at the Ruskin Drive-In. Beginning Monday, March 5, the iconic South Hillsborough theater will begin the conversion to digital movies through new equipment purchased to replace the aging but still functional 35mm film projector. Over the past year, the theater held several events to raise funds for the new equipment. But while the drive-in will soon be digital, most things won’t change, including the family-friendly atmosphere, the availability of first-run movies and the need for customers to continue to support the theater by purchasing the reasonably-priced food and beverages from the theater snack bar. The first digital movie at the Ruskin Drive-In will be shown on Monday, March 9. Above, theater owner Ted Freiwald stands next to large platters of 35mm film for the old projector.
