The Drive-In Movie Theater in Skowhegan, Maine, Is Closing for Good After 70 Years
Here's some sad news for movie fans in Maine.
The state is going to be at least one less drive-in theater when the 2024 season rolls around.
While Skowhegan Drive-In hit an incredible 70th year in business this year, according to its Facebook page, "it will also be the drive-in's final season of operations."
That will leave just five drive-in theaters left in the Pine Tree State:
- Skylite Drive-In - Madawaska, ME
- Bridgton Twin Drive-In Theatre - Bridgton, ME
- Prides Corner Drive-In - Westbrook, ME
- Narrow Gauge Drive-In - Farmington, ME
- Saco Drive-In Theater - Saco, Maine
The Skowhegan Drive-In stated that there were multiple factors and "insurmountable obstacles" that led to the unfortunate decision to close for good.
Matador Network says there are only about 300 drive-in theaters left in the United States, and frankly, that's not really surprising the number is so low.
When was the last time you went to a drive-in, let alone a regular movie theater? These days it seems more likely that people would prefer to just stay at home and stream something through Netflix, Hulu, or a number of other services online.
According to Earthweb.com, the number of people using video streaming services worldwide for 2023 is about 1.8 billion. A pretty big number, right?
"In the digital era, the Skowhegan Drive-In Theatre was an endearing institution that was no longer relevant. It was out of place, and it ran out of time," the drive-in said on its Facebook page. A sad commentary, but based on numbers and people going to the movies these days, maybe it's an even more true one as the years go on.
So if you wanted to get one last chance to see a movie at Skowhegan Drive-In, this Labor Day weekend is your last shot.
The double feature being shown on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday will be the '80s classics "Ghostbusters" and "Ghostbusters II."
Help this iconic piece of Maine history go out with a bang and catch the last shows before the lights go out.
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