Back during the late 50's heyday of America's outdoor cinemas,
Minnesota was home to nearly 80 Drive-in theatres, 92% of which
have since gone dark or been demolished. Here are recent closings
and Minnesota's 6 Drive-ins you can still enjoy and help to preserve:

Blaine (Anoka County) Minnesota 65 HI Drive-in:    ON DEATH ROW! formerly located at 10100 Central Ave N.E. {Hwy65} This mid-sized 500-car single screener just outside of the TwinCities   had been   open seasonally for the past fifteen years under the close watch of Irv Braverman, an old hand who had acquired his first Dr'in (Coon Rapids) back in 1961. Located now out along the Lost Hiway,   it will not reopen for Season 2002 .. nor for any other Season .. going, sold, gone; the only thing rising from its ashes is a housing development. Cottage Grove (Washington County) Minnesota Cottage View Drive-in:  651-458-5965 located at 9338 S.E. Point Douglas Road This is Minnesota's largest remaining Drive-in, with parking for nearly 1,000 cars, and is nicely representative of classic Drive-ins of the 50's and 60's, with remnants of a playground, neon marquee, well-maintained concession area, even some traditional speakers down in the front rows; primary sound is provided by an AM (540) and FM (107.5) vicinity broadcast. Admission:  $5 per person - for all ages 12&up; under12 free. Lake Elmo (Washington County) Minnesota Vali Hi Drive-in:  651-436-7464 located on I-94 at Manning Single screen Drive-in open seasonally (April-September) and screening TRIPLE features for 500 cars; soundtrack on AM & FM local vicinity broadcast (item: arcade style B&W photo booth!). Litchfield (Meeker County) Minnesota Starlite Drive-in:  320-693-6990 located at 28264 Highway 22 (Xroads of 22 & 12) A restored drive-in that reopened with the '98 season and which remains in operation as a 4-screener with FM Dolby Stereo broadcasting of the movie audio for all 4 screens (with a 5th screen being added summer of Season 2002). Admission:   $4 adults; $2 children aged 6-12; under 6: free. Long Prairie (Todd County) Minnesota Long Drive-in Theatre:  320-732-3142 located on North Highway 71 Single screen drive-in which opened up in 1956, with parking for 350 cars; open weekends only, screening double features. Has traditional drive-in speakers plus AM & FM vicinity broadcasting for the movie soundtrack. Admission: $4.50 adults; $1 ages 6-11. Luverne (Rock County) Minnesota Verne Drive-in:  507-283-0007 located at 327 West Warren Street, off US75 (¾ mi south of I-90 on US75, south of town) Under new ownership, the Verne was recently restored, and reopened in Season 2K.   They are screening Double features on a single screen each nite of the week during peak season. Admission: $5 adults; ages 11 and under are admitted free. Minneapolis (Anoka County) Minnestota see:  Blaine, Minnesota Warren (Marshall County) Minnesota Sky-Vu Drive-in: 218-745-4161 located on Route 1 West Single screen drive-in open seasonally, weekends only, from Memorial Day thru the 2nd weekend in September. Their format alternates between screening single features & double features. Admission:  ages 12&up $5.50;  children ages 6-12 $3.00

If you are aware of any Drive-in
that we seem to have missed, or
would like to contribute any
information to our efforts,
please use this envelope
to send a letter to us.

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