Pop's In & Out celebrates 50 years

MOSES LAKE  — Pop’s In & Out owner Mary Vannoy’s love of history is transferring itself into her business’s 50th celebration.

A historical author herself, Vannoy will have the drive-in’s original soda fountain available at the April 16-17 celebration.

Vannoy was given the soda fountain by customer Wendy Erickson. It was discovered while Erickson was preparing for a family estate sale.

Customers and church friends helped Vannoy bring the soda fountain to her business. They are Keith Simpson, Todd Paris, Roger Jensen, Derek Beach and Gina and Wes Leverett.

She also mentioned assistance from Weinstein Beverage for moving the soda fountain with a lift truck.

More pieces of history from the 1950s will also be available for viewing at the event.

Vannoy displays her childhood metal high chair, wagon and pedal car from the 1950s.

Steve Kalamakis, of Moses Lake, is refinishing the items.

To prepare for the event, a picture of the Kool-Aid Man was being painted on the side of the restaurant Thursday for the special weekend.

The Kool-Aid man was popular during the 1950s and 1960s, she said.

She’s selling Kool-Aid jelly in the basic flavors of cherry, lime, grape, strawberry and orange at the event.

A restored 1957 Chevy pickup is showcased for the celebration, which is owned by Betty Stratton, of Moses Lake.

Vannoy knows of others who are bringing their classic cars to the business.

The return to the 1950s doesn’t stop there.

She and employees Sonya Guerra, Courtney Evans and Lindsay Silvers plan to dress in poodle skirts, along with Vannoy’s sister-in-law, Judy Mullin.

Parking meters were the only decoration Vannoy couldn’t find, in her effort to recreate the nostalgia of 1959.

It’s the year the business opened as a Tastee-Freez.

Vannoy bought the business in 1996 from Major Berryhill and it became Pop’s In & Out.

There’s currently an eight-page menu, which grew over the years as customers requested new items.

“I have tried to make provisions for all of them,” she said.

Her years in business are because of God.

“Give God all the credit,” she says.

Customers noticed the scripture verses on her reader board outside. The verses caused non-church-going people who believe in God to read the Bible at home.

Vannoy thanked her customers for their patronage.

“They are totally what’s kept me here,” she commented.

Hard work also plays a role at her establishment. Vannoy acknowledged working 96 hours per week, “living and breathing” the business.

Now she gets to thank her customers.

Door prizes, 28 total, were donated by Moses Lake businesses for the event.

Vannoy also mentioned Herb Clark and Sally Richards as having been helpful. They were instrumental in running errands and taking her to find decorations.

“Every time I’ve needed something, they have made the time to get it done,” Vannoy said.

She estimates she’s distributed more than 1,000 event flyers to her customers. Her customer base is between 1,250 to 1,500 people.

The celebration begins at 6 p.m., Friday, April 16, with authentic root beer floats and ORV races in the business’s parking lot.

All portions of the event are held at the business, which is located at 504 W. Valley Rd., Moses Lake.

A concession stand offers authentic 1950s confections.

The movie “Grease” starts at 10 p.m. Guests are asked to bring their own lawn chairs.

On Saturday, April 17, a pancake breakfast and car club shows are from 8 a.m. until 10 p.m.

From 2 p.m. until 4 p.m., there will be a homemade ice cream social, taffy pulling, bingo, Twister, checkers and hopscotch.

Other activities include a hula hoop contest, a bubble gum blowing contest and pinata breaking.

“Name that Tune” with Eric Fritts is played from 5 p.m. until 6:30 p.m.

A 1950s dance starts at 6:30 p.m., with music played by Bradley Rhoades & The Outlaws.

For more information, call 509-765-0257.