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With Sale Cancelled, Weirs Drive-In Reopens For Movies Under the Stars

Todd Bookman/NHPR

Despite fears that it would close last summer, the Weirs Drive-in Theater in Laconia will kick off its 69th summer of screening movies under the stars this weekend.

The iconic movie theater announced it was closing last year after a buyer expressed interest in developing the property.

But that deal fell through when archaeologists warned that the site was likely home to Native American artifacts, which could drive up construction costs.

With no other buyers coming forward, projectionist Kevin Baldi says his family has been busy getting the grounds ready.

“Now we just have to go and get the popcorn and hamburgers going,” he says.

There was an outpouring of support last year when fans of the theater made final visits to the four-screen drive-in, which has been run by the Baldi family since 1974. Kevin Baldi, grandson of the owner, Patricia Baldi, says he hopes word is getting around that the venue is re-opening.

“It should be fun. I hope we see a lot of our old friends and customers. And I’m very excited about what this year brings.  

As always, the Weirs Drive-in will be playing a double feature: opening weekend, it’s the Avengers: Infinity War, followed by Black Panther.

Todd started as a news correspondent with NHPR in 2009. He spent nearly a decade in the non-profit world, working with international development agencies and anti-poverty groups. He holds a master’s degree in public administration from Columbia University.
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