Last North Dakota drive-in screen bites the dust

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Old Lake Shore Drive-In marquee

2011 photo by Robby Virus, used by permission

You might want to skip this post if you’re squeamish or easily saddened. The Williston (ND) Herald reported this week that redevelopment workers tore down the screen for the Lake Park Drive-In Theater, which closed there last year. Its superintendent said that the wreckage would be recycled, but I’m guessing that means chipping the wood instead of finding a new home for the screen.

If you want a happier memory, check the Bismarck Tribune’s 2010 tribute to the Lake Park. It spends an appropriate amount of space discussing rumors of the Lake Park’s closure and how the theater had changed since its owners bought the place in 1995. Former owner Jim Snyder told the Tribune that business at the Lake Park started slowing down in the 1990s. Hmm, most places saw big attendance drops before then.

Anyway, if you want a slender ray of good news, the Lake Park’s merry-go-round and swing set “are going to be restored and given to a local family.” For a few more details, plus a photo of the screen’s final hour on earth, go read it.

Northfield announces its plans tomorrow

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Northfield Drive-In TheaterThe Recorder of Greenfield MA ran an article and an editorial this week about the Northfield Drive-In, just barely across the border from Northfield MA in Hinsdale NH. This Saturday, on the Northfield’s 65th birthday, owner Mitchell Shakour plans to announce whether he’ll invest in digital projection equipment and all of the updates it wil require. For the drive-in, it could be a matter of life and death.

Shakour, who has run the theater with his wife since 1978, told The Recorder that he didn’t know what his decision would be. “Were looking at it seriously,” Shakour said. He has visited similar, eponymous drive-ins in Mendon MA and Milford NH, and he planned to visit the Hollywood Drive-in near Troy NY on Thursday. “The trip to Troy should be the final straw,” he said.

Meanwhile, kudos to The Recorder for stepping up with an editorial in favor of the Northfield’s survival. Shakour had said that we was uncomfortable accepting donations, but The Recorder suggested a Kickstarter campaign. It also suggested that patrons could visit the Northfield’s Facebook page to let the owners know how they feel about the drive-in. The editorial concluded, “Let them know that they want the Northfield Drive-In to be back for many summers to come, and would be willing to kick-start that effort.”

For much more on the history of the Northfield, and to learn which way Shakour said he’s leaning, go read it!

Blue Starlite concept about to spead

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A few months ago, I had to admit that I wasn’t sure whether the Blue Starlite in Austin TX is a real drive-in. I’m still sure that “drive-in nights” in the park with temporary screens and no cars definitely aren’t drive-ins. The Blue Starlite’s screen still looks pretty temporary, but they play movies every week in season and folks really drive in to watch them, so I guess I’ll have to say that it qualifies.

Which is important, because now there’s a report that the Blue Starlite’s founder, Josh Frank, has moved to Miami and plans to start another “mini urban drive-in” there. The Miami New Times has the story of what Frank did in Austin and what he hopes to do in Miami. I hadn’t realized that he bought real drive-in speakers and restored them to use at the Blue Starlite. Cool!

This is a very intimate experience,” Frank explained to the New Times. “Having a drive-in that catered to so few people, where each car feels like it’s their night, that was a big lightbulb.”

There’s no opening date yet, but Frank said he wanted it ready by October. He’s hoping for a location in the Wynwood Art District, but hasn’t zeroed in on any one in particular. For more details if and when they arrive, check out the Blue Starlite Miami web site. For much more story about Frank’s reasons for spreading his vision to Miami, go read it!