The 66 Drive-In Theatre in Carthage, Mo., will host a special screening of the 2006 Disney-Pixar animated film “Cars” on Aug. 1, as part of festivities for the International Route 66 Festival in nearby Joplin.
Pixar Animated Studios will provide a life-size replicas of the film’s stars, Lightning McQueen and Tow Mater, at the screening. Michael Wallis, who portrays the Sheriff of Radiator Springs in the film, will be on hand to sign autographs and “swear in young deputies,” according to a news release from the festival committee.
Also, kids age 12 and under will receive a picnic meal and a Route 66 or “Cars”-themed gift. Games, music and other activities are being planned before the movie.
Tickets to the screening are limited to 370, and will be priced at $25 a car load of six people. Tickets will be sold through the festival website only, starting at 8 a.m. Monday.
Many of the landmarks and characters shown in “Cars” were inspired by the real-life Route 66, including the 66 Drive-In itself in the first few seconds of this scene:
More about the inspirations for “Cars” can be found here.
UPDATE 7/1/2013: The entire allotment of tickets was sold out in eight hours.
I visited the Carthage drive in a few years ago on one of my R66 excursions. It’s a great theater with its own character. The owner keeps it in good shape because he loves the place and drive-in movies. I hope people patronize it and appreciate an icon when they see it. We don’t have very many drive ins left anymore. It’s a shame that young people don’t understand the history and importance of the drive in. It’s just a fun way to experience a night out…….from a drive in fan
I wish I could be there to meet the Road Warrior himself, Micheal Wallis. He’s one of those icons of Route 66 who opened up my eyes to 66. He’s the reason I fell in love with the road. I first saw him on 48 hrs guiding a tour on the road and showing people the special people and places that make the road so special! Too bad Pop Hick’s isn’t around anymore. That was his 2nd home!!