October 22, 2018
Coming Soon: August Moon Drive-In Theater in Pigeon Forge
Pigeon Forge’s newest attraction is going to be a real blast from the past! We’re excited to report that a “drive-in” movie theater will be coming to our favorite Smoky Mountain city in the next few years. Known as the August Moon Drive-In, this revolutionary concept takes a traditional drive-in theater and puts it inside of a domed building, for a unique indoor experience that is unlike anything you’ve ever seen before. Hearthside Cabin Rentals has put together a brief write-up about what visitors can expect from the August Moon Drive-In theater in Pigeon Forge.
Recapturing the Magic of the Drive-In
The August Moon Drive-In sets out to recreate the idyllic drive-in atmosphere of years gone by. Michael Counts, the developer behind the August Moon concept, spoke with local news station WBIR about his vision for the drive-in in Pigeon Forge:
“Imagine a perfect summer night at a classic American drive-in movie theater in 1965 – the beautiful sunset, a low full moon over the treeline in a country field, fireflies, a summer breeze, the smell of fresh cut grass, stars overhead, sitting in a convertible surrounded by some of the best examples of the golden era of American auto manufacturing, and, of course, dinner and a movie. That bygone reality is the August Moon Drive-In.”
Under the Dome
Although the August Moon Drive-In theater in Pigeon Forge will be reminiscent of the nostalgic drive-ins of the 60s and 70s, it will differ from traditional drive-ins in a number of ways. One big difference is that the theater will be completely indoors! The enormous screen (the largest non-IMAX screen in North America) and all of the cars will be housed underneath a massive domed building. This way, the theater will be able to operate all year long, even when it is raining or snowing.
Despite its indoor location, August Moon will still retain the magical atmosphere of a classic drive-in theater by using state-of-the-art technology. The domed ceiling will display projections of the sunset, a starry night sky, and the moon, in order to make visitors feel like they are outdoors on a lovely summer’s evening. The illusion will be bolstered with the pastoral sound effects of a gentle breeze and crickets chirping, along with 50 full-size trees and a half-acre of grass.
A Drive-In That You Don’t Need to Drive to
Besides its indoor setting, the other main difference between August Moon and a traditional drive-in is that guests will not sit in their own cars. Rather than rolling up in their own vehicles, guests will step back in time by watching movies in classic cars that are parked in front of the screen. August Moon expects to have about 40 vintage vehicles on the premises. Some of the old-fashioned roasters featured on the August Moon Facebook page include a ‘64 Cadillac Coupe Deville, ‘54 Buick Special, ‘64 Mustang, and a ‘55 Plymouth Belvedere Classic.
If you’re not interested in sitting in one of the theater’s cars, August Moon has got you covered! The drive-in will also feature private booths, tree swings, and wide-aisle stadium seating. To complete the classic drive-in experience, August Moon will serve all-American food and spirits for guests to enjoy as they watch the movie. The theater is expected to screen first-run movies and hit films from years gone by.
August Moon’s Opening Date and Location
We don’t know for sure when the August Moon Drive-In theater in Pigeon Forge will open, but developer Michael Counts expects the attraction to be up and running in late 2019 or early 2020. Counts hopes to make August Moon a franchise, and there are already plans for another location in Nashville, which will open sometime after the Pigeon Forge theater.
The August Moon Drive-In in Pigeon Forge will be located near the corner of Teaster Lane and Wears Valley Road in the new Mountain Mile shopping and entertainment complex. Boasting 174-acres, the Mountain Mile will feature retail stores, restaurants, attractions, and even more fun things to see and do. The centerpiece of the complex will be the Mountain Monster, a 200-foot tall tower that will feature four different thrill rides.
Where to Stay in Pigeon Forge
When you stay with Hearthside Cabin Rentals, you will have the perfect home base for enjoying all of the fun Pigeon Forge has to offer. With everything from 1 bedroom cabins to 18 bedroom lodges, we are guaranteed to have the perfect property for your vacation. To start planning your getaway, browse our selection of Pigeon Forge cabin rentals!
