Woodbridge Sunset Drive-In

The address is 15095 Calla Ct, Woodbridge, VA. The drive-in appears to have been constructed some time after 1963 and lasted until at least 1981. By 1994, the property became the site of townhouses with a large open central area. However, there is no trace of the drive-in left. https://goo.gl/maps/yZfDK

On May 27, 1974, eighteen people (10 adults and 8 juveniles) were taken into custody after police say they threw rocks and beer bottles at officers, injuring six people including three officers at the Woodbridge Sunset Drive-In during a special holiday showing of Elvis’s “The Last Tickle”. During the incident, an officer’s K9 accidentally leaped at a wrong male as the chief was lunged at a youth trying to attack an officer from behind.

Julius C. Ferlazzo, the owner of the Woodbridge Sunset Drive-In at the time, complained about the incident disrupting the film. With quick thinking, he canceled the rest of the Elvis movie by immediately turning off the 35mm projector, and asked all youths to leave the theater immediately. Police later reported that a second call from security guard who reported the fights and asked for medical attention for an unconscious youth. EMS arrived on-scene without injury. However, two police units were able to responded but were pelted by rocks and bottles right at the time they entered the theater. Both officers left the scene immediately, and requested help. SWAT moved in with 20 riot-equipped officers when rock and bottles continued to barrage. They said that eight to 10 canisters of tear gas were used to dispel the crowd.

Police said after the riots ended and the youth leaving the theater, they recovered hundreds of beer cans, several bags of marijuana, and two blackjacks.