It’s National Dump the pump day!

National Dump the Pump Day exists to help commuters and drivers reconsider the use of fossil fuel vehicles, spreads awareness on the depletion of natural resources such as fossil fuels, and encourages consumers to consider public transportation and alternative fuel vehicles.  We understand that not everyone has the privilege to be able to take advantage of mass transit or to walk, bike, or skate to their jobs, so we’re going to also explore some greener options in automobiles!  Today we’re going to highlight some of the differences between Hybrid versus Electric versus Plug-In Hybrid vehicles, and learn a little bit about alternatives to fossil fuel only cars.  Let’s get started!

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Every year on June 15th is “Nature Photography Day,” a holiday sponsored by the North American Nature Photography Association (NANPA) to raise awareness for nature conservation, promote enjoyment of nature through the arts, and to document wildlife and landscapes on local and global scales.  The first official celebration began on June 16th in 2006, and it has continued to grow and be adopted by people all around the world!

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Today we’re going to share a little bit about the origins of Flag Day, and then we’ve got plenty of options for American Flag accessories for your car!  You’ll be all set for the upcoming 4th of July celebrations, too.

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It’s no secret that we love all things automotive.  We eat, breathe, and dream about cars!  Today we’re sharing our picks for some of our favourite videos currently on YouTube. You’ll find a mix of how-tos, fun facts, brand highlights, and so much more!  We think you’ll really enjoy today’s picks that are a great blend of information and entertainment.

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Today is World Oceans Day, implemented every year on June 8th by the United Nations in an effort to help preserve our planet’s oceans.  The purpose of this holiday is to examine the impact humans have on the ocean, to mobilize efforts to reduce pollution and destruction of the ocean, and work together to implement a sustainable management system for this vital global resource.

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At Classic Auto Group, we really, really love cars.  We’re constantly honing our skills to stay in the know and ahead of the curve so we can help our customers find the right car for their needs. We make it our business to know everything there is about safety, performance, and aesthetics of each of the vehicles we sell. But we recognize that buying and selling cars is probably not a daily part of our customers’ lives, or even a weekly one. That’s why we’re sharing our helpful Automotive Terminology posts with all of you, so you can feel confident when you set out to find your next perfect car. 

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Hop on in your new vehicle from Classic Auto Group and take your popcorn party on the road, because we’re going to the Drive-In Theater!  We love movies at home as much as the next person, but there is a special kind of unparalleled joy that can only come from a flick on the big screen from your car.  Since today is Drive-In Movie Day, we thought it would be only fitting we explore the origins of one of our favourite theater experiences!

Drive-In movie theaters were spotted as early as the 1910s, but they rose in popularity after 1933, when Richard Hollingshead of New Jersey patented the first official drive-in theater.  After creating a mini drive-in for his mother, Hollingshead scaled things up and opened it to the public. He created a solution for folks who did not fit comfortably into small movie theater seats, and also a great option for families with children, stating “The whole family is welcome, regardless of how noisy the children are.”  It was a big hit with families, and things continued their upward momentum.

By the 1950s and 1960s, there were upwards of 4,000 drive-in movie theaters in the US thanks to their affordability and accessibility.  The only initial drawback of these outdoor cinemas were weather related restrictions; certain areas could only show movies during specific seasons when weather conditions were mild.  In the 1970s, the oil crisis led to rising prices in gasoline, and many people traded in their cars for more compact models, making them less comfortable for kids and families to spend long hours in while watching movies. Drive-Ins shifted their content to survive with the times, opting instead to show cult favorites, exploitation cinema, adult films, and horror movies.  By the 80s and 90s, home video had taken over the market with VCRs , and by the early 2000s, DVD players had all but obliterated the competition.  Drive-In theater numbers have dwindled since, with just over 300 drive-ins running in the US by 2019.

In late 2020, however, outdoor movie experiences and drive-ins began to see a rise in popularity once again thanks to the Covid-19 pandemic. With intermittent lockdowns, social distancing parameters, and multiple restrictions on social gatherings and public events, people began looking for new ways to get out of the house and socialize. Drive-In movie theaters began to soar in popularity once more, and were responsible for generating 85% of box office revenue for the film industry.  Thankfully, the resurgence of Drive-Ins is gaining momentum and we’re excited to see so many new theaters opening as people enjoy this taste of nostalgia and one-of-a-kind cinematic experience.

Looking to join the fun of the resurgence of Drive-In Cinema? We’ve rounded up our picks for great nearby drive-ins! Check them out here:

• The Milky Way Drive-In in Franklin, WI
• McHenry Outdoor Theatre in McHenry, IL
• Midway Drive-In in Sterling, IL
• Chitown Futbol and Movies in Chicago, IL
• Blue Moonlight Drive-in Theater in Galesburg, IL
• Route 34 Drive In Theatre in Earlville, IL
• MOO-V-Night in Westmont, IL
• Chicago Drive In in Bridgeview, IL

You can also create your own drive-in at home, queue up a movie on a streaming service, or head on an adventure to a local drive-in!  

Need a great jumping off point to building your own 5-star experience at home? Check out this great video from YouTube:

Check out this great documentary on Drive-In Movie Theater history:

How many of these Top 10 Drive-In movie Theaters have you been to in the US?  Let’s take a road trip and check them out:

Go on a Road Trip to an Abandoned Drive-In Theater in Massachusetts and learn a little about the origins of drive-ins:

Here’s some fun YouTube videos all about Drive-In movie experiences!

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Today is National Veggier Burger day, and we’re glad it’s arrived just in time for the start of summer barbecue and camping trip season!  We’re going to help you find some great options in the local area for vegetarian and vegan food, as well as some perfect meals for grilling out.  We’ll help you find the best recipe and suggestions to pop into your cooler so you can feed everyone in your party at the beach, the campsite, or even in your own backyard.  Check out our latest Local Eats Guide today!

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June is National Dairy Month, and today is National Cheese Day!! We’d be remiss if we didn’t use today as a springboard to take a little trip over the state border into our neighbouring state of Wisconsin.

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Today is National Donut Day, and we’re very excited to celebrate with one of our favourite snacks!  Whether you love them glazed, dipped, filled, or plain, there’s no wrong way to enjoy this sweet treat.  Today we’ll be listing some of our favourite local places to snag some donuts. Once you’ve picked out your box of sweet treats, you can head on home to watch some of these incredible videos of YouTubers having the time of their lives doing donuts in their cars!  And of course, don’t forget to subscribe to one of our favourite YouTube channels of all, Donut Media!

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