The Mahoning Drive-In Theater came alive with spooky vibes Friday for its first-ever Halloween Dusk-Til-Dawn Scare-A-Thon.

The theater showed five films, all of them coming as a surprise to moviegoers, to wrap up the 2025 movie season.

Offering different themes for just about every weekend, the drive-in welcomes fans, many in costume, for movies and often a chance to meet actors, producers and from the film industry.

Longtime fans say the community aspect and enduring friendships they’ve made keep them coming back week after week.

“The drive-in community offers something that no other place does,” longtime regular Gene Barretta of Bryn Mawr said on Friday. “We don’t even know what the movies are going to be tonight. I’ve often said the friends we’ve met here are almost more important than the movies.”

Alysha Lee Hottenstein of Walnutport, who has been coming to the drive-in for six years, echoed that sentiment.

“The Mahoning Drive-In is like home,” Hottenstein said. I’ve been coming here for a long time, and you meet so many unique people — it’s amazing! It’s truly our own little family.”

Opened in 1948, the Mahoning Drive-In is a staple of entertainment in the Poconos. The only active drive-in theater showing films in a 35 mm format, the venue also features a giant CinemaScope screen and a capacity for up to 900 vehicles.

The drive-in near Lehighton also offer camping for an additional charge, as some moviegoers prefer to rest before making their long trips home.

The drive-in sold 750 tickets Friday, and those in attendance didn’t even know what the five movies were going to be. That speaks to the love that fans have for the drive-in, owner Virgil Cardamone announced before the showing of the first film.

“You could be anywhere on Halloween, but you chose to spend your time with us, and we appreciate that,” he said.

Cardamone acquired the theater in 2014 with a co-owner, who has since passed away.

“Operating the drive-in has been like a dream come true,” said Cardamone, who has been the drive-in’s sole owner for two years.

The drive-in is on Patreon, a platform where fans can help support the venue in the off season.

Cardamone said Patreon support is a way for fans to gather virtually and experience private screenings, exclusive merchandise and various gifts, depending on their membership level.

On Friday, many attendees were decked out in their finest Halloween costumes and set up their own display areas with tables, chairs and decorations to celebrate the evening. Those who didn’t already have drive-in merchandise flocked to purchase some.

“This is our first year in our own little building here, and it’s great,” said merchandise manager Sandy Eckard, of East Stroudsburg, who has held the position for six years. “We’re super busy, and I love to see it.”

Eckard and her coworkers sold items including branded shirts, hoodies, hats, stickers, lighters, mugs and posters.

“Many of our returning customers are friends, even keeping me updated with stories about their families,” Eckard said. “There is a wonderful community here.”

While the Halloween event was the last of the movie experiences for the 2025 season, there will be a wine festival on Nov. 22, in partnership with Blue Mountain Vineyard and in association with the Carbon County Chamber and Economic Development Corp.

The theater will reopen to screen movies in April 2026. For more information, visit mahoningdit.com.