Children's charity KidzWish is enjoying an overwhelming response to bringing the iconic drive-in experience back to the Illawarra for the first time in 36 years this month.
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More than 700 tickets have been sold to the five movies it is planning to screen on a runway at Shellharbour Airport on July 24 and 25.
KidzWish general manager Julie Gemmell said the Illawarra has not seen a drive-in movie since 1984 and the level interest in bringing it back to life with the help of Shellharbour City Council, Wollongong Mazda, Historical Aircraft Restoration Society and the airport has been incredible.
"KidzWish is bringing it back to help raise much needed funds for Illawarra children who are sick, disadvantaged or have a disability and their families," Mrs Gemmell said.
The inaugural KidzWish drive-in experience will include five movie screenings over two days on a large 40m2 LED screen as well as food vans and aircraft displays form HARS Aviation Museum.
Mrs Gemmell said to sell more than 700 tickets three weeks before the first screening shows just how much people in the Illawarra are looking forward to the return of drive-in movies.
She said after months of isolation it was wonderful to do something 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.
Shellharbour mayor Cr Marianne Saliba said the council was delighted to be able to provide Shellharbour Airport as the venue.
"Our council enjoys a wonderful relationship with a wide variety of disability organisations. We are very happy to be part of this fantastic fundraising event".
Cr Saliba said she had fond memories of attending drive in movies when she was younger and was excited about the opportunity to take her own family.
Wollongong Mazda dealer principle Sash Corbeski said the dealership is providing five brand new cars for each session for a VIP viewing experience.
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 July 25 when Shaun the Sheep Farmageddon hits the big screen at the airport.
At 5.30pm on the Saturday there ill be a screening of Missing Link.
The final session is at 8.30pm on the Saturday and the title of that film is being made by vote on the Wave FM website.
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.
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