When KidzWish decided to reintroduce the drive-in cinema to Shellharbour for the first time since 1984, it was to raise funds and give families a chance to go out safely during the pandemic.
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But the idea seams to have a struck a chord with thousands of people around the Illawarra.
The response to the drive-in at Shellharbour Airport this weekend has been overwhelming, with three of the five sessions already close to being sold out.
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The experience of sitting in a car to watch a film is about to be enjoyed by many children and young adults for the very first time, and revisited by parents and grandparents alike.
Volunteers at the Historical Aircraft Restoration Society (HARS) Aviation Museum are among those who can't wait to be involved this Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
HARS president Bob De La Hunty said having the drive-in movies occur the same week as the final Qantas 747 in the fleet flies over the first Qantas 747 and dips its wing in salute on its final flight, made it a very historic and moving time for all the volunteers involved at HARS.
Mr De La Hunty said some of the aircraft that would have been flying when drive-in cinemas were in their heyday in the '60s, '70s and '80s would be located around the drive-in cinema this weekend.
"It is a big thing for the community and we are going to line up some of those aircraft at the end of the runway in support of KidzWish," Mr De La Hunty said.
Michael Hough said the three classic aircraft on show from the HARS Aviation Museum for the Kidzwish Drive-In movies on Friday and Saturday are two former RAAF aircraft, a Neptune long-range submarine patrol bomber and a Canberra jet bomber, as well as a former Polish Air Force supersonic MiG-21 jet fighter which is new to the museum collection.
Gates open an hour ahead of the sessions using the Hargraves Avenue entrance to Shellharbour Airport at Albion Park Rail.
A KidzWish spokesperson said only a few spots remain for the 5.30pm sessions on Friday and Saturday and the 8.30pm sessions are more than 70 per cent full.
KidzWish general manager Julie Gemmell said it was wonderful to do something during COVID-19 that brings the community together in a safe way for some fun and enjoyment.
"And we are bringing together some of Wollongong's best food vendors who have also been doing it tough," she said.
Tickets for the five movies supporting the Illawarra children's charity can be purchased at the KidzWish website. Movie goers will be able to drive onto the tarmac on the eastern end of Shellharbour Airport and tune in their FM radio for sound. Admission is adults $27, children $17 and $95 for a family of five.
The first movie screening is the children's movie Paddington 2 at 5.30pm on the Friday night
The second session is at 8.30pm on Friday when an adult audience will be targeted with the screening of Jumanji 'Welcome to the Jungle'.
The third session is another children's move at 2pm on Saturday when Shaun the Sheep Farmageddon hits the big screen at the airport. At 5.30pm there will be a screening of Missing Link.
The choice of movie for the final session at 8.30pm on the Saturday was made by public vote on the Wave FM website where Ride Like A Girl won out.
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Greg Ellis
Almost four decades in electronic, print and digital media. A writer, presenter, emcee, photographer and videographer with degrees in business management, marketing and human resources and tertiary qualifications in photography.
Almost four decades in electronic, print and digital media. A writer, presenter, emcee, photographer and videographer with degrees in business management, marketing and human resources and tertiary qualifications in photography.
