I remember when my mom would take me and a couple friends to the drive-in theater in Casper, Wyoming.  We'd put on our most comfy jammies, grab some blankets and a pillow and pile into the back of the station wagon.  Then we'd head to the "big screen" and pay maybe $5 for the carload. All of us kids would usually make it about two-thirds of the way throught the first movie before we'd crash.  (Unless it was scary, in which case I'd just hide my head in a pillow all night.)

Well, here in the valley, families have a different (and better - I think) twist on the drive-in.  Every Friday evening through the summer residents and visitors alike load up the car and head to Glade Park, a tiny town nestled in the Colorado National Monument, for "Movies Under the Stars."  Here, under the vast, clear evening skies of western Colorado, movies are shown on a big screen at the Glade Park Volunteer Fire Department.  Most of the movies have been out a year, two or even more, but they are the really good ones we all want to see again, especially in this natural theater!  And the best part is they're FREE!

As an added benefit, a old fire truck converted into a grill sizzles with polish sausages, hamburgers and hot dogs.  Soda, hot chocolate (yes - hot chocolate for what can be a chilly Colorado mountain evening), candy, chips and popcorn are also available.  All are very reasonable. Now that's a change for a movie theater!  Concessions open at 5:30 and the grill gets sizzlin' at 6:00.

Other popular attractions during the evening are free hayrides, games with prizes for kids five and under and ongoing volleyball games.  There truly is something fun for everyone.

Then, as the sun starts to sink behind the horizon, amidst a glorious orange and pink sunset, people start laying out their blankets and setting up their portable chairs for the evening finale - the film. And, just like years ago at the drive-in, kids curl up in blankets and soundly snooze and mom and dad sit close and enjoy the movie as well as star sprinkled sky.

The whole Friday night "Movies Under the Stars" is a fundraiser that began 28 years ago for the the Glade Park Volunteer Fire Department. You may wonder how the heck they make any money if the movie is free!  Well, people come hungry and feeling lucky, and between the concession sales and door prize tickets ($1 for adults and 50 cents for kids 12 and under) the event is a win-win.

One quick note:  Be sure to bring a jacket and/or blanket because the evenings are a bit cooler up in the higher country and you'll want to be completely comfortable for this wonderful evening that harks to days gone by.