The fourth annual Freedom Fest on Friday was the perfect setting to announce the latest project which may soon come to McCook: a drive-in movie theater.

With the grandstands filled with spectators for a concert and fireworks show Friday night, Youth Change Reaction (YCR) announced that they are working to build a permanent drive-in theater on the fairgrounds. The full-size screen would be constructed on the backside of the grandstands. Movies would be shown using a state-of-the-art digital projector and audio sent via a FM-radio transmitter to cars in the parking lot.

YCR, which consists of 12 McCook High School students, needs to raise at least $65,000 for the project. They have already received nearly $50,000 in donations and pledges. That total includes $20,000 in matching funds from the McCook Community Foundation Fund. For every $1 given by donors, MCFF will provide $1 up to the $20,000. YCR has also received a $7,500 youth engagement grant from an anonymous donor with the Nebraska Community Foundation.

YCR group hopes to raise the final funds to make the project happen by Aug. 16, right before classes resume for the 2022-23 school year.

YCR has been around for more than a decade, doing small projects over the years including dances, movies at the YMCA, and the bike rental program at Red Willow Lake.

But this past year, the group decided it wanted to take on a bigger project: a project that would last long after they graduated; a project that would benefit the community, both young and old; a project that would make them proud when they look at it years later and say, "We did that."

So YCR has chosen to build a Drive-In Movie Theater. They are working hand-in-hand with the Red Willow County Fair Board, which will take ownership of the project once the funds are raised.

The drive-in movie equipment will be available for rent for a minimal cost, enabling groups and organizations to host their own events as fund-raisers or community events.

Anyone who would like to make a donation to the drive-in theater project can do by mailing in a donation using the pledge form and sending to MCFF, Box 525, McCook NE 69001. Or giving online at https://www.nebcommfound.org/give/mccook-community-foundation-fund/ and selecting "designation/drive-in theater account." 

For more information about the drive-in theater project, email mcffund@gmail.com or call 308.340.3412.