The Cherry Bowl Drive-In Theatre & Diner is a historic drive-in theater with a concession stand in Honor, Michigan, on US Highway 31 (US 31).[1][2][3] It opened on July 4, 1953,[4][5] and was one of seven remaining drive-in theaters in Michigan in 2003.[6] It has a snack bar, children's play areas, putt-putt golf, beach volleyball, and a rest area for dogs. The Cherry Bowl is the only remaining drive-in theater in Northern Michigan.[1][7] The Cherry Bowl's sound system uses the original vacuum tube motiograph amplifiers powering speakers at speaker posts.[1] An FM radio option is also offered.[1] The drive-in theatre is open in the summertime. The Cherry Bowl has converted to digital HD projection.
| Cherry Bowl Drive-In Theatre | |
|---|---|
 Cherry Bowl Theatre, October 2018 | |
| Location | 9812 Honor Hwy, Honor, Michigan |
| Coordinates | 44°40′04″N 86°02′36″W / 44.6678°N 86.0432°W |
| Built | 1953 |
| Website | http://cherrybowldrivein.com |
  Location of Cherry Bowl Drive-In Theatre in Michigan | |
Then-governor Jennifer Granholm told the Detroit Free Press in 2009 that residents "haven't lived in Michigan until '[they've] been to the old-fashioned Cherry Bowl Drive-in in Benzie County, where [they] can sit on cushions in the back of [their] truck on a warm night, munching on the best movie popcorn and chicken fingers in Michigan watching an evening summer movie."[8] In 2013, Honda awarded the theatre a prize in its "Project Drive-In" social media campaign; the car maker awarded the Cherry Bowl a new digital projector.[9] The theater and drive-in are located at 9812 Honor Highway (US 31).[5]
History
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The Cherry Bowl opened on July 4, 1953. Longtime owner Jean Griffin ran the business after her husband's death in 1959, and was known for working in high heels. Laura and Harry Clark purchased the property from Jean in 1996. Harry Clark died in 2012, and Laura continues to operate the theatre and concession stand.[5] In February 2024, the Cherry Bowl was put up for sale as Laura Clark chose to retire. In September 2024, it was sold to current owner Mindi Jarman who plans to keep the theatre open and upgrade some outdated elements. [10][11][12]
The Cherry Bowl offers mini-golf and double feature films rated PG-13 or below.[5][13] Harry Clark installed sculptures next to the theater's vintage speakers and 14-foot neon hot dog. One sculpture is a pink and blue Volkswagen with a clown head on it, another is a pink cow with cherries for spots, and there is classic Chevy positioned to look like it is coming through a fence.[14]
Fare
editFood offerings include Messy Marvin's chili cheese fries sometimes and caramel apples made daily.
See also
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References
edit- ^ a b c d "Cherry Bowl Drive-in Theatre & Diner". Pure Michigan. Michigan Economic Development Corporation. Archived from the original on September 27, 2013. Retrieved September 23, 2013.
- ^ "Add a nostalgic trio to your trip: diners,...". Daily Herald. July 23, 2006.[full citation needed]
- ^ "Paradise awaits lakeshore guests". The San Diego Union-Tribune. May 23, 1999.[page needed]
- ^ "New Theatre to Open Saturday". Traverse City Record-Eagle. July 3, 1953. p. 5. Retrieved July 11, 2017.
- ^ a b c d Tyra, Emily Betz (July 2007). "Up North Drive-Ins: Traverse City, Frankfort & St. Ignace". Traverse Magazine. Retrieved September 23, 2013.
- ^ Christianson, Kiel (January 2003). "Elliott House B & B in Beulah: At the Heart of Benzie County". Michigan Golf. Retrieved September 23, 2013.
- ^ "Northern Michigan Drive-In Theaters". Michigan Drive-Ins. Archived from the original on September 27, 2013. Retrieved September 23, 2013.
- ^ "You Haven't Lived Here Until You've Celebrated Michigan Week". Detroit Free Press. May 17, 2009. Retrieved September 23, 2013.
- ^ Ellison, Garret (September 12, 2013). "Cherry Bowl Drive-In Movie Theater in Honor Wins digital Projection System from Honda". MLive. Booth Newspapers. Retrieved September 23, 2013.
- ^ "9812 Honor Highway, Honor, MI 49640 - MLS# 1919419 | C21". commercial.century21.com. Retrieved 2024-06-29.
- ^ Lofton, Justine (2024-02-26). "Buy a piece of Up North nostalgia: The Cherry Bowl drive-in theater is for sale". mlive. Retrieved 2024-06-29.
- ^ "A Tale Of Two Northern Michigan Institutions: Cherry Bowl, Lucky Jack's Change Hands". The Ticker | Traverse City News & Events. Retrieved 2024-11-10.
- ^ Campbell, Janis (Aug 7, 2003). "Happy Birthday, Cherry Bowl Drive-In". Yak's Corner. Detroit Free Press. p. F8. Retrieved September 23, 2013.
- ^ Headlee, Celeste (July 30, 2008). "Backyard Folk Art Thrives In Michigan". Day to Day. NPR.
Further reading
edit- Herrmann, Andrew (July 19, 2009). "At Sundown It's Action for Classic Drive-In Theater". Chicago Sun-Times. p. A27.