Opened in 1952, this drive in operated continuously until it was closed in 2008 because, of all things, it encountered water well problems. Declining revenue is probably what prevented its reopening, however. In the summer of 2011 it experienced somewhat of a new lease on life as a weekend swap meet and concert venue.
When it opened it could accommodate 230 cars. Later it dispensed with in-car speakers and broadcast on FM at 101.1 MHZ. Still standing are the screen, snack bar & ticket booth.
The article from the Hungry Horse News is reproduced in part below.
Drive-in theater reincarnated as swap meet
RICHARD HANNERS Hungry Horse News
It’s been two years since the last movie was shown at the Midway Drive-in Movie Theater at the U.S. 2-Highway 40 junction. Now, thanks to the energy of four young people with ideas about revitalizing the local economy, this prime valley location will be the scene of weekend swap meets and music concerts.
Marco Forcone said he and Michael Medlin had passed by the shut-down theater many times over the past two years and remarked how it would be a great location for concerts.
“Then, we realized, it would be a great location for a swap meet and farmers market,” Forcone said.
The two met with the drive-in’s owners and arranged a lease for the entire summer. Joining them in their efforts are Yim Q Forcone, who is director and manager, and Miriam Folk, who is the artist making the colorful posters. The idea is to hold swap meets, in combination with a farmers market, every Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Booths will be rented out at $30 for one day or $50 for two days.
The Flathead Valley Midway Swap Meet will also host special events, such as music festivals, chili cook-offs and car shows. While weekly farmers markets are held in Kalispell, Whitefish and Columbia Falls, with fresh produce and crafts vendors, they don’t allow swap-meet booths for things like antiques and car parts, Medlin said.
“This isn’t a farmers market,” he explained. “It’s a swap meet. We have few restrictions.”
Medlin said the Great Northern Brewery, of Whitefish, will act as the “special events caterer.” Among the events under consideration is a bluegrass festival and a car show with the local Glacier Street Rod Association. Plans call for three bands per day on regular weekends, playing at about 1, 2 and 3 p.m., Medlin said. The $1 entrance fee will help pay for the bands.
More than 100 vendors have already signed up, Medlin said. A 40-by-100 foot “circus” tent has been leased for the food court, which will be run by Piggyback BBQ, of Whitefish. Piggyback and Island Noodles have signed up for the whole summer season, he said.
Medlin said the drive-in theater opened up in 1952 but closed in 2008 when problems were found with the well water. Medlin has arranged for “water buffalos” — small portable water tanks — to be brought in and hooked up to the concession stand.
Read more at the Hungry Horse News