It’s been a while since my last ‘I REMEMBER WHEN’ post. It was in fact earlier this year on 19 April and I was remembering when I could always find a Ladybird in the garden. You can see other I REMEMBER WHEN posts I’ve written here.
A memory came to me recently of the slide nights we used to have when I was a kid and how exciting they were. My next thought of course was that this would be the topic of my next I REMEMBER WHEN post.
Do you remember slides, projectors and slide nights? Here’s some photos to jog your memory!
Our slide nights were a big occasion, usually including extended family (aunts, uncles, cousins, etc) maybe some family friends too. My Dad would be the ‘tech whiz’ of the night in control of setting up the projector and slide sequence situation. He’d set up the table for the projector and slides and decide on the surface he would project onto – often an external wall of the house or maybe a sheet would be strung up somewhere.
Outside chairs and inside chairs would all be collected and assembled together ensuring there was a seat for all to sit upon to watch the show.
There would be snacks, lots of snacks (think 1970’s kabana and cheese platters, chips and cheese balls, etc) and most likely a barbecue dinner would be involved.
There would be squeals of delight at seeing our younger selves projected up larger than life on the wall. Wonderful memories slide after slide for us to look back on. Past holidays or family events where the memories may have faded are relived again. We’d see ourselves, our siblings, and our cousins and friends as babies and toddlers and our parents much younger. Lots of oohs and ahhs and giggles and laughs for everyone.
I assume those slides are still stored somewhere at my parents house. I wonder if they are accompanied by an operating projector. How I’d love to have another slide night and relive the delights of the memories contained within those slides.
Did your family have slide nights? Share your memories in the comments below!
Ciao for now,
Linking up with Denyse Whelan for #LifeThisWeek
14 Comments
Hi Min, would you believe we never had slide nights? I would have loved to have been part of your family at those nights though they sounded fun. Going through our possessions at the moment as we prepare to sell my MILs home means a move for us as well. My husband found a box of his old slides from many years ago. I’m not sure if he will keep them but I’m sure there are many memories on them, including his time in Vietnam War. A lovely post thank you! Have a beautiful week, Min.xx
Thanks Sue – can’t believe you haven’t had slide nights! I used to love them when I was a kid. There’s sure to be heaps of incredible memories in that box of old slides you found at your MILs house. Just need a projector to view them! You have a great week too. xo
Hi Min, yes who could forget the slide nights? They were the prelude to looking at all our holiday pics on our phone s and trying to show everyone! I’ve just read Richard Glover’s new book A Land Before Avocado, and found it very interesting and cringeworthy at times, with all the memories from life during the 60s and 70s. It’s a nostalgic look back at what we did, and how things have changed in the decades since. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it and kept reading out bits to my husband, until he told me he wanted to read it himself! I don’t remember slide nights being mentioned in it though 🙂 #lifethisweek
We sure did. I recently went through the boxes of my parent’s slides to make up an album for my Dad’s 80th. I used to use slide film as well when I first started with an SLR – Fuji Velvia ISO50….now there was a nice film. Like Debbie I’ve just finished Richard Glover’s book and thoroughly loved it.
I loved slide nights. I bet your Dad loved that album you made him for his 80th. As I said to Deb – I’m hearing quite a bit about Richard Glover’s book so I’m gonna have to get hold of it and read it!
Hi Deb – you’re so right definitely way before the mobile phones etc LOL I’ve been hearing a bit about this book of Richard Glover’s. I’m gonna have to get hold of a copy and read it!
We used to have the occasional slide night (just the family) and we loved it. I remember the projector being propped up at the front to angle it and it was always on a card table (remember those?) It was always such a big deal setting it all up and the globe often blew (too hot I think). I’m sure my parents have them tucked away somewhere but whether you can still buy the bulbs for the projector is another story.
Oh I had a giggle Leanne. I recall Dad always having the projector propped up at the front to get the angle right too! AND yes I remember the card table and I think the projector may well have been set up on one quite often too. I’ll have to check with Mum next time I’m over there as to where the slides are and if they still have a projector. You’re right about the bulbs and getting replacements – hmmm – that could be interesting!
I think I still have some slides…somewhere! And I could go a cheese and cabana platter now 🙂
The cheese and cabana platter would be of course on 1970’s tupperware! 😂
Slides make me wistful for the past, Min. But in a good way. Thanks for bringing back the memories.
SSG xxx
They make me wistful for the past too SSG and in a good way. Such happy, carefree memories! 🙂 xo
I got a slide projector for my 21st because I took most photos then that became slides. Recently I have found the box of slides and now I see that there are more coloured photos of my life back in the late 1960s and even some relating to my 21st. We don’t have that projector ..I cannot recall what would have happened to it but it had an auto thingy so it moved by itself. Yes, slide nights, they were a thing with my parents too.
Great memories.
Thank you for joining in #lifethisweek. Next week’s optional prompt is “Best Cake I Have Eaten”. P.S. I think mine will have several entries!! Denyse
That would’ve been an awesome birthday present Denyse! I know the automatic kind of slide projector you speak of. Very fancy! lol xo