Route 35 Drive-In in Hazlet, New Jersey, opened on June 30, 1956 as Loew’s first open-air theater in the state and became a family-oriented entertainment destination as much as a movie venue. Built on a former watermelon farm, it offered free admission for children, expanded concession fare, and a circus-themed playground. Its large screen, projectors, and evolving sound system reflected the scale and technology of mid-century drive-ins. The theater also hosted a young Bruce Springsteen and later appeared in the film Blood Rage. After 35 years, it closed in September 1991 amid rising land values, multiplex competition, and home video, and the site was redeveloped.