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Make this a summer to remember
The cars enter the parking lot, moving slowly as their passengers seek the perfect spot. They snake through the property, around other parked cars, drivers watching carefully for the many kids who fill the place.
When they find the right spot -- not too close to the screen and not too far away -- they pull in and the family piles out. Some families bring lawn chairs, pillows, sleeping bags. Others set up camp inside the car, opening hatchbacks and flattening seats to make room for everyone to see the feature presentation.
A trip to the snack bar, heavy with vintage charm, nets armloads of popcorn, candy, and soda ?the perfect fare for a night under the stars in front of a giant movie screen.
The Family Drive-In, located just south of Stephens City on U.S. 11 in Frederick County, has been offering old-fashioned entertainment for generations. It's one of only a handful of drive-in theaters remaining across the country. Though it's located about an hour west of Warrenton, it's a trip worth making -- even with gas prices as high as they are.
Expanded several years ago to offer two screens, each showing a pair of movies each evening, the drive-in is open seven nights a week. The box office opens at 8 p.m. and the first movies start at dusk.
Get there early to nab a spot in the front row, especially if you have small children. With a grassy lawn and playground equipment directly in front of the huge screen, the front row offers unobstructed views. Even farther back, however, seeing the picture is no problem.
Odds are, most teens and younger children in the area haven't experienced the drive-in theater -- some have never even heard of the concept. (My four-year-old was thrilled by the idea, asking repeatedly when we were going to the "drive-thru" theater, making me aware of how familiar he is with that concept.)
Summer offers the perfect opportunity for exposing them to something that was once a staple in American life.
While the drive-in is a unique experience worth the ride, Fauquier County has its share of venues offering traditional family fun closer to home.
Summer wouldn't be complete without a stop at Carousel Frozen Treats in Warrenton. Whether you come for the milkshakes, shaved ice or Funky Monkeys, chances are that you'll come back again. Catering to people from all walks of life, Carousel sees many repeat customers and lots of families and kids.
“Ice cream is part of it, but the atmosphere is also certainly part of it," said co-owner Dennis Bachetti. "We spend a lot of time and energy on the atmosphere ?the plants, music, fountain. We have a bubble bear that blows bubbles from the roof."
Bachetti, who owns the business with Carl Norskog, said the two Fauquier High School graduates "wanted to do something nice for our hometown" when they started the business 10 years ago.
Open March through October, the ice cream stand has become such a part of the community that even working there is a popular pastime.
“We have a waiting list of people who want to work here. Kids who are 10, 11, or 12 who have big brothers and sisters who work here, and they want to work here when they get older," Bachetti said. "It's a lot of fun working with the high school kids. It's fun to see them grow. They become like family."
Another local hot spot that feels a lot like family to its staff and regular customers is the newly reopened bowling alley, Broadview Lanes. With loads of experience both at the Warrenton bowling alley and with bowling alleys in general, co-owners Allen Jeffries and Randy Cole jumped on the opportunity to revitalize the local lanes. The pair saw it as a chance to bring some fun into the community.
Reopened earlier this month, the bowling alley offers a great mix of nostalgic and modern elements.
“We did really well. A lot of people heard we were re-opening through word of mouth and a lot of people that used to come came back," said Jeffries about the alley's June 1 opening.
Jeffries, who worked at Warrenton Lanes for six years as a teenager, is excited to see such strong community support for the business.
“My fondest memories of that place are of me running through there trying to get to the game room and Ed Butler [bowling alley manager for a number of years] yelling at me to quit running," Jeffries said of his childhood experiences.
With summer promotions to be announced, the air-conditioned bowling alley is an ideal place to spend some of those hot summer days. Open daily, Broadview Lanes offers home-cooked meals from its restaurant and will soon open its kids' party room and game room.
Neighboring Prince William County offers a couple of spots for traditional family fun.
With a nice breeze blowing and sunny skies, Broad Run Mini Golf, located just south of the Route 28-Route 234 intersection in Bristow, was packed earlier this week. The 18-hole course is part of the Broad Run Gold and Practice Center and was designed for family entertainment.
“It's designed for both adults and kids to enjoy themselves," said manager George Fontaine. Owners have found a way to hold the attention of even the youngest golfers. Offering an all-day rate of $6.50 for everyone over three (kids three and under play for free), the course allows families the option of playing for awhile, then taking a break to eat lunch before returning to the game.
“The people who come out here like the place, and they usually come back," said Fontaine.
If the weather's not quite so nice, consider a stop at the Skate N Fun Zone in Manassas. Offering roller skating, moon bounces, and laser tag, the rink is the closest place for many of those activities to Fauquier County. Check the facility's Web site www.skatenfunzone.com for summer specials.
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