An Event Twenty Years In The Making

The Vow Renewal of Kate & Mike
Mahoning Drive-In Theater - Lehighton, PA
We've been to a lot of events at the Mahoning Drive-In, but last night was the most special of them all.  Our best friends, Mike and Kate, have been planning for many months to celebrate their 20th anniversary with a vow renewal at a private event at the drive-in.

Kate and Mike invited friends and family from across the country to attend, many of whom were visiting for the first time.  It was important to them to give everyone in attendance a true Mahoning Drive-In experience.  Part of that was this incredible poster that they commissioned artist Tom Bifulco to create.

They also worked with Sandy to have special coasters made which were given to all of the guests.  Event coasters are frequently available at the merch table for bigger events at the drive-in, so this was another way that Mike and Kate gave their guests a true Mahoning experience.

They also hosted a raffle for a lucky winner to go home with prizes that represent the two movies that were shown on the big screen, as well as copies of some of the movies that were semi-finalists before they ultimately decided on showing a double feature of Twister and The Fifth Element.  Donnie won the raffle, and after all he has donated to the Mahoning raffles since we've known him, I cant think of a more deserving winner.

It was also important to Mike and Kate for the staff at the Mahoning to be able to relax and enjoy themselves as guests rather than it being another day of work.  A local restaurant called Alfie's catered the event with sausage and peppers, pasta, meatballs, ravioli and salad.  There was also three different kinds of cupcakes from a local bakery, including a Vanilla Kit Kat Cupcake that was especially delicious.

Our friend Gene surprised Mike and Kate with an incredible sketch of the both of them in their happy place at the drive-in.  The carrots are a reference to an inside joke that has been going for a couple of years now.

Kate loves Harvey, so he was the official Flower Dog for the vow renewal.  He was a good boy and didn't mind wearing flowers to celebrate Mike and Kate.

Our friend Bill took this incredible photo of Harvey over my shoulder as the ceremony was getting started.  I think this is one of my favorite pictures ever taken of him.

Virgil was the officiant for the ceremony which took place under the watchful eye of Godzilla.  Riggz, Jason, Zeneca, and Cheryl brought all of the gear down to make him light up, roar, and blow smoke out of his mouth, just like he does for Godzilla-Palooza.  Kate and Mike are both big fans of Godzilla, so this was an especially sweet touch from four incredibly kind and cool people.

We all settled into our spots when the sun went down to enjoy two of Mike and Kate's favorite movies on the big screen: Twister (1996) and The Fifth Element (1997).  It was a very special night, and one that made me very thankful that this little drive-in in Lehighton has brought us all together.  It's truly a privilege to have such incredible friends.