DOWAGIAC — Milton Edwards, who runs 5 Mile Drive-in in Dowagiac, has had a busy week.

Between preparing films, mowing the large, green lawn where the drive-in’s larger-than-life movie screens sit and hiring summer workers, Milton remarked that he could probably use a helping hand to prepare for this weekend’s summer opening. However, finding someone who understands the business might be tricky as it is one of a kind — or more accurately, nine of a kind.

Drive-in theaters, which came to the U.S. in the 1920s, hit a peak of popularity in the 1950s. During that peak, there were more than 4,000 operation drive-ins nationwide. Now only a fraction are still standing, approximately 317 throughout the country. In Michigan, there were 137 operation drive-in theatres in 1972, the most recorded in the state’s history. Now, there are only nine remaining, and two of them are homed in southwest Michigan.

Neil and Glenda Edwards own 5 Mile Drive-in in Dowagiac, 28190 M-152, and Sunset Drive-in in Hartford, 69071 Red Arrow Hwy. The former will be opening this weekend with showings of “Ugly Dolls” and “The Best of Enemies.”

“It’s pretty exciting for us to be one of the few left,” Glenda said. “It’s exciting that we can keep this nostalgic thing going for the families here for them to come and have a good movie-going experience.”

When the Edwards purchased the Sunset Drive-in in 2003, and later 5 Mile Drive-in in 2006, there were still 11 drive-ins left in the state, according to data compiled by Michigan tourism site, Water Winter Wonderland.

While the family has seen drive-ins drop off during their time in the business, Glenda and her son, Milton, who runs the drive-ins, said they believe that they have achieved longevity due to a loyal fan base and a commitment to the drive-in.

Between the two drive-ins, Milton said they average between 600 and 1,000 cars a weekend. On a good weekend, they might see 900 vehicles at a single drive-in. Last weekend, the Hartford drive-in was open to show “Avengers: Endgame” and “Captain Marvel.” On Saturday, Milton said the drive-in saw nearly 100 cars, despite a snowstorm that left 3 inches of snow on the ground.

“That just goes to show you how dedicated people are,” he said. “If they weren’t already, those people left life-long drive-in fans.”

What drives that loyal fanbase is a mix of the old and new, Milton said. Though the Edwards have invested significant funds into maximizing its social media and digital presence to draw viewers, what keeps them coming back is the drive-in’s commitment to nostalgia, he said.

Walking along the green grass of 5 Mile Drive-in, Milton points to a tall lamp post, which he recently ran new wiring to. When lit, the lamp will give off a soft, moonlight effect, which harkens back to the era of when drive-ins were most popular. It is small details like the lamp that keep the nostalgia factor alive, Milton said.

“We kept things old school,” he said. “We didn’t add big bright lights or flashy neons, because we aren’t sure that draws people — we are a little afraid that it doesn’t.”

The nostalgia factor that the Edwards have worked to maintain is part of what they believe makes a drive-in a different, in Milton’s opinion sometimes better, experience than a traditional movie theater. With a smile on his face, Milton can still recall the first time he went to a drive-in movie more than 20 years ago. At the age of 12, Milton remembers dust in the air as he and his friends sat on a set of bleachers to watch a movie in Hartford.

“I can go to a drive-in and almost not care about the movie,” he said. “You can be more comfortable; the sound is more adjustable to your volume. … We have a playground here — kickball, Frisbee, it all happens here. It’s just a way for people to be outside and together.”

Both Glenda and Milton said that a drive-in movie is something everyone should experience at least once.

Milton encouraged the public to come out to 5 Mile’s season opening this weekend, saying that he is grateful for the public’s support in allowing it to be one of the few drive-ins left in the state and country.

“We are happy to be here, and we don’t plan on going anywhere,” he said.