01/19/2026
Happy 2026! We have a busy year ahead of us but mark this date on your calendars! June 20, 2026 (a more detailed post about the upcoming events are to come)
But first, here’s a little history lesson: 156 years ago Aurora was founded, but 100 years ago, Route 66 began celebrating “The Mother Highway,” on April 30, 1926.
This year we celebrate the historic 100th anniversary of anything along Route 66. And as America nears its 250th birthday, it feels important to hold on to the nostalgia instead of let it go. This event is a celebration of that!
Coincidentally, this year also marks the 75th Anniversary of the Sunset Drive-In!
On April 5, 1951, Ralph Hough Sr and his son opened the gates for the very first time, and those gates have remained open ever since (except for the summer of 1987). The very first film to ever play on the silver screen at the Aurora drive-in was “Two Guys from Texas”.”
Years pass and we see theater has been effected by VCRs, DVDs and now streaming services …but it always makes a comeback.
In 2026, the Sunset Drive-in Theatre in Aurora, MO will be celebrating a new era, its 75th birthday! The upcoming Blockbuster season looks rather promising and so does the chance for us to celebrate this anniversary year; because… who knows but ….next year it might not be here. Let’s celebrate what we have today! This drive-in is your drive-in too. Let’s make it the best we can!
Be looking out for more information about our first ever car show (still working out the finer details so stay tuned)
~Cz