Hull’s Adds Live Music

Buddy Derrick Memorial Stage Unveiled

A long week of rain opened up to sunny skies last Thursday evening for the dedication of the Buddy Derrick Memorial Stage at Hull’s Drive-in.

The stage was dedicated and unveiled at a Business After Hours event co-hosted by the Community Foundation, Lexington-Rockbridge Chamber of Commerce, and Hull’s Angels. It highlighted improvements made possible by a grant from the Community Foundation’s Derrick Family Foundation Fund.

“We are so pleased to be here tonight on this stage made possible by a man who symbolized generosity and community. I am honored to be here listening to the band play during this foundational moment and blessed to have known Buddy as a leader, mentor and friend,” said Steve Grist, chairman of the Community Foundation board of directors.

CHEFS Catering sponsored the event, serving “drive-in” style food such as corndogs, pretzels, nachos with cheese, popcorn, cotton candy and boxes of movie candies.

“We really wanted everyone to feel the effect of the history of Hull’s tonight,” said Rhainna Schleif, executive director of Hulls Drive-In.

“We brought in old-fashioned cars and created a retro atmosphere that we hoped would take everyone back to their own days of growing up with Hull’s in the community.”

In the 1950s, there were over 4,000 drive-ins around the county and today only 300 remain. Hull’s has served as an iconic community venue for 74 years and is working to continue that trend. One way of doing that was through grant funding from the Community Foundation.

The grant from the Community Foundation was able to provide the funding needed to build the Buddy Derrick Stage, bathroom renovations, and patio expansion.

Hull’s had a perfect space right in front of the big screen to utilize the new stage, said Lori Turner, executive director of the Community Foundation. The stage will allow entertainment options to the greater community and surrounding areas.

“This community-owned theater will continue to attract visitors to the area, by not only offering movies, but options for music and other special events,” said Turner. “While not losing sight of who they are as a drive-in theater that has been present in the area since 1950, these improvements will help them engage with the broader community.

“Every time I read about Hull’s Angels I am absolutely amazed at what has been accomplished since 1999,” continued Turner. “A few volunteers turned into hundreds of volunteers, a few bags of popcorn created the seed money for the eventual purchase of Hull’s and a vision became the reality of this invaluable community treasure.”

A life-size Buddy Derrick cutout at the event was created to bring his presence to the event.

“Buddy served as the mayor of Lexington for 12 years. His impact will continue to be felt for many decades,” said Frank Friedman, current mayor of Lexington. “Buddy was focused on family, focused on business, focused on professionalism and focused on style. I am proud to have the opportunity to be wearing his tie tonight which I am wearing with pride to continue on his great style. Everyone greeted everyone with a warm hello and a million- dollar smile.”

After the dedication ceremony, Marvin and the Little Martians became the first band to use the stage, playing old-time rock and roll.