Community at the Sunset - Jonathan Down (Blog Post 2)

 One thing has become clear to me while researching the Sunset Drive-in Theater, and that is how important community was. A common theme popping up with this theater is the collaboration between the entertainment venue and other local businesses or community engagement opportunities. Greg Kershul, the man who took over in 1955 and eventually went on to purchase the Times Theater, was heavily engaged in his community. He was a member of his local board, the Seaside Chamber, and was one of the first to maintain radio contact with Alaska, funny enough, after coming home from the Sunset Drive-In, and was once referred to as a modern day robin hood. Kershul and his love for community used the Sunset Drive–In lot for a multitude of events, such as Easter church services (April 16, 1960), as well as other promotional events, such as free tickets if you show up in a Buick! Kershul wasn't the only one to use the size of this lot to help build a community. Previous owners Harold and Cecil Wright did events such as late showings after fireworks on the Fourth of July (Clipping from July 3, 1952). Due to the Sunset's location on Gearhart Junction, this was a common place for people to come to from Seaside, Gearhart, and even Astoria. The Sunset was constantly having unique events and engaging the community as a family drive-in theatre.