Carrie Blast Furnaces becoming makeshift drive-in
By JEFF STITT
jstitt@yourmvi.com
New artistic life is constantly being breathed into the historic Carrie Blast Furnaces, which once breathed hot combustion air to melt the U.S. Steel Homestead Steel Works’ coke, iron ore and other elements used to create industrial metals.
Today, the furnaces are cold — as they have been for decades — but visitors to the National Historic Landmark can connect with the region’s industrial and cultural past through public tours, festivals, programs, photo safaris and entertainment events offered each year by Rivers of Steel Heritage Corp., the nonprofit organization that maintains the facility.
That organization, in partnership with Hear Corp., an event production company, is kicking off the inaugural “Carrie Carpool Cinema” to draw in revenue and provide entertainment for Mon Valley and Greater Pittsburgh residents whose vacations and summer plans have been canceled or postponed this year as a result of coronavirus pandemic restrictions.
The series of events will provide a “drive-in movie-style experience” and will treat movie goers to double features of curated films. The premiere event is July 24 and features films shot in and around Pittsburgh. Up first is “Flashdance,” an R-rated film that was shot in part at the historic Grand Concourse restaurant in Station Square.
Rivers of Steel Director of Arts Chris McGinnis, who will soon be 40, recalls trips to the drive-in as a child.
“Everybody I’ve talked to in my generation always talks about how much they miss drive-ins and say things like ‘Weren’t those always fun? I miss the drive-in,’” McGinnis said, adding that he has seen other instances of communities and organizations offering drive-in movie programs in the midst of the pandemic.
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