Prairie Drive-in

Roy Rasmussen opened the Prairie Drive-In locally in 1956 just two miles northwest of the city limits and just yards north of the Perham Municipal Airport. John Quincer of the Cozy Theatre in Wadena took on the venue with son, John, and later grandson Dave who operated the seasonally operated Prairie Drive-In from 1962 until just past the ozoner’s 30th anniversary. They also operated the Wadena Drive-In Theatre.

The Perham Municipal Airport proved to be almost as big a challenge as home video in the 1980’s when it wanted to expand its northern most runway - basically through the drive-in. Crop dusters barely avoided the screen tower in their approach to the airfield which wasn’t in favor. The airfield’s expansion plan was approved. Dave Quincer moved away making operation of the Prairie D-I more challenging and Quincers would sell the ozoner effective June of 1988 to the airport folks.

Therefore, the Prairie Drive-In’s final season opened May 22, 1987 with “Crocodile Dundee” and “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off”. And its short season concluded with its permanent closure after showtimes on July 26, 1987 - about its 31st anniversary - with “Secret of My Success” with Michael J. Fox and “The Bedroom Window” with Steve Guttenberg.

The drive-in tower and operation was demolished in 1988. The airport’s runway paving and expansion project was completed in 1992.

Recent comments (view all 1 comments)

Want to be emailed when a new comment is posted about this theater?
Just login to your account and subscribe to this theater.