Saco Drive-In plight featured on TV

Posted on Mar 3, 2013 by mrdrivein

The News Leader of Auburn ME, WMTW, recently ran a story about the Saco Drive-In of Saco ME. We mentioned the Saco here at Carload a month ago, and there isn’t a lot of new information in this new report, but there’s some nice video of the Saco marquee and from inside its projection booth.

According to the report, “At least two other theaters in Maine, one in Boothbay (maybe the Harbor Theatre in Boothbay Harbor) and the other in Damrascotta (probably the Lincoln) are both open thanks to the public pitching in to buy the new projectors.” But those are both indoor theaters, so we don’t really follow them on Carload. Never mind.

I would have loved to embed the video, even with its preroll advertising, but the best I can do is show you a screen grab and suggest that you head to WMTW’s site to check it out for yourself.

Harvest Moon reaches its fundraising goal

Posted on Feb 28, 2013 by mrdrivein

The Paxton (IL) Record reports that the Harvest Moon Twin Drive-In (Gibson City) reached its fundraising goal of $165,000 and will reopen for a new season on March 29. We’ve been following this saga on Carload here and here.

Manager Ben Harroun said that he’s waiting to hear from his supplier to know when the new digital projection equipment will be installed. In addition, the money will be used to refurbish the marquee, snack bar, gift shop and restrooms, and the old-time carousel will be painted with a new canopy.

More than 800 individuals and companies donated to the fundraiser, and on Tuesday, a $10,000 donation from Neal Tire & Auto in Gibson City put them over the top. For more details, go check out that article.

Update: Pantagraph.com, apparently tied in with the Gibson City Courier, provides a few more details and a really nice photo of the Harvest Moon’s marquee.

Twilite may become Municipal Heritage Property

Posted on Feb 27, 2013 by mrdrivein

Wolseley City Hall and Opera House, photo by BriYYZ

SaskNewsNow.com reports that the Twilite Drive-In of Wolseley, Saskatchewan, may be designated as a Municipal Heritage Property by the regional municipality of Wolseley. (The story refers to Wolseley as an ‘RM’, as if I’d know what that meant without looking it up.)

“It’s an important part of our community,” said Rose Zimmer, administrator for the RM of Wolseley. “It’s an important part of our history.”

According to the article, the Twilite was the first drive-in in Saskatchewan when it opened 59 years ago, and it’s still being operated by the family of its original owners. The MHP designation could make the Twilite eligible for government grants, which would be used to upgrade the screen or the physical plant, but it won’t help with digital transition expenses. They still plan to hold fundraisers to buy a digital projector this spring.

To get an idea of how small and cute the Twilite is, check out this Google overhead view, then go see the file photo that accompanies the SaskNewsNow article. That is such a dear little drive-in, and I’d love to visit it some day.