Throughout the years, the greater majority of drive-in theaters in the Upper Peninsula have gone the way of the dodo. Today, only one remains — the Highway 2 Community Drive-in Theater in Manistique, which is operated by the U.P. Film Union.

The group’s website states that the U.P. Film Union got its start in the spring of 2016 when Don Erickson had the idea of trying to organize an outdoor community movie event. Coincidentally, he mentioned the idea to an acquaintance, who happened to own the old drive-in property outside of Manistique and suggested using the screen there for the community movie event.

The following spring, Erickson met Eric Sherbinow at a community meeting and mentioned that he was working on a project at the old drive-in. Sherbinow long had an interest in drive-in theaters and had sought to purchase one years earlier and the idea of being involved in a drive-in event was too much to resist, so he asked Erickson if he could help. That is when the U.P. Film Union unofficially came into being.

This year marks the 10th year since this dream came to fruition, and the organizers could not be more grateful to have made it to this point.

An advertisement from 1972 for the drive-in theatre in Manistique is pictured. (Photo courtesy of Upper Peninsula Film Union)

“What it really means to me is that we are doing something really cool for people,” said Sherbinow, U.P. Film Union president. “It means that we are preserving a piece of real Americana. It means we are keeping something that we absolutely love alive and I feel so fortunate to be a part of it.”

Erickson, U.P. Film Union vice president, said that while drive-ins have existed in other countries, the concept is as uniquely American as baseball and apple pie.

“I often find myself contemplating how lucky I am to be involved with the Highway 2 Community Drive-In Theater,” he said. “Once a thriving business that could be found in all corners of the United States, there are now barely 300 drive-in theaters left. Only 300 left and one of those 300 is right here in our beautiful U.P. We understand and appreciate the significance of our humble, little drive-in theater.”

To Sherbinow, it still feels surreal that an idea all those years ago has snowballed into what it is today.

“It is shocking to think that we have been able to make this work for this long and that it is still going, maybe stronger than ever,” he said. “If you would have told us back then that we’d be talking with you now this many years later, we would have thought you were crazy.”

Erickson added that at this point, he can’t imagine not having this drive-in as a part of his life.

“Over the past 10 years, my kids have been so fortunate to have grown up at the drive-in,” he said. “They don’t know a time without a drive-in theater in their lives. There are very few young people in our country who will ever get this experience; I just hope someday my children will appreciate how fortunate they have been.”

Marking a decade is certainly a great accomplishment, but while the U.P. FIlm Union is eager to begin it’s 10th season, the organizers are also eager to see what the future holds.

“We have no intentions of quitting any time soon,” Erickson said. “One important aspect of our drive-in that will not change is the model we have created. We will continue to offer free movie events for residents of the U.P. and tourists alike. We will also continue to offer the concession stand as a fundraiser for other nonprofits throughout the region.”

Erickson said that over $40,000 has gone back into U.P. communities through the nonprofit organizations that have run the concession stand at the Highway 2 Community Drive-In Theater.

Cars begin to file in for a previous event at the Highway 2 Community Drive-in Theater in Manistique. (Journal photo by Justin Marietti)

“There are too many (sponsors) to name and it would be unfair to single any out,” Sherbinow said. “Without the sponsors, we wouldn’t have even made it through the first event. The sponsors make it happen. We are grateful for each and every one of them.”

Erickson added that he hopes everyone who loves the drive-in will patronize those businesses that have helped to make the drive-in possible for the past 10 years. Looking back over the last decade, he says he is filled with gratitude, pride and optimism.

“I am thankful for all the friends I’ve made, all the businesses who have supported the drive-in, and every single person, young and old, who has visited the Highway 2 Community Drive-In Theater over the past 10 seasons,” Erickson said. “I’m proud of all the work we’ve done, and I’m looking forward to everything still to come. We have brought back a drive-in theater from obscurity and that is something to be proud of. I’m optimistic for what’s still to come.”

Sherbinow said that while the 2025 season still lies ahead, the members are already looking ahead to 2026 and beyond.

“We start kicking the ideas around more once we have the current season essentially locked up,” he said. “Our goal is to get things to the point that actual effort it takes to make the drive-in physically work is minimal.”

Erickson said that one of the highlights of running the drive-in has been seeing families coming together in such a wholesome way.

“No one seems to be glued to their smartphones,” he said. “Everyone seems to be enjoying themselves. Before the movies begin, I’ve seen families throwing footballs, playing cornhole and even playing an intense game of chess. People have fun when they attend the drive-in, and that’s why we do what we do.”

For more information on the Highway 2 Community Drive-In Theater, visit www.upfilmunion.org.