Circus Drive-In
8318 S. March Point Road,
Anacortes,
WA
98221
8318 S. March Point Road,
Anacortes,
WA
98221
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Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but in a May 2023 aerial photo, the screen and concession building appear to have been demolished. You can only see this view on the Google Earth Pro app, it hasn’t been updated on the web version yet.
I’m not seeing a second screen on the property. There appears to be a second screen in the NE corner of the property in a 1981 photo, but it’s long gone. There are good Google Street Views from both north and south of the drive-in and I’m not seeing a second screen.
The concession/projection building had a second floor added when the second screen was added. The second floor housed the booth for both screens and a small apartment. The original projection booth on the ground floor was turned into storage. Brenkert BX-80 projectors, RCA soundheads. It’s been some 45 years since I was last in that booth, can’t remember any more details. It was owned by Jim Bonholzer who also operated theaters in Eastern Washington state.
Not gonna lie, it would take some work to re-open this drive-in. The way the parking lot sits, traffic would have to be re-routed to pass in front of the screen and down the south side of the property. And, there is a big pile of dirt in front of the screen that needs to be addressed.
Those are not big issues in an of themselves, but someone will have to crunch the numbers of expected ticket sales vs. cost to determine if re-opening this drive-in is viable.
Sandwiched in between a medical office and Frontier Ford dealership next to Hwy 20 and Thompson Rd, this could possibly be reopened! You heard that right folks!
Except for some ramps obliterated by said office for parking, EVERYTHING IS STILL INTACT! Screens, buildings and all! 😇😇😍😍
I have read they plan to demolish it for affordable housing….
I don’t think the local Indian tribe that just bought the Circus Drive in has any plans to re open the place for movies. They just need the land to expand charity things as they have buildings near the drive in now. There is another still open Drive In in Oak Harbor WA not to far away but with a much smaller square type 4.3 screen. I have been in contact with some local people to try to have the new owners save the giant steel screen tower for future use for the Indian reservation for private outdoor movie entertainment. The wide screen looks to be in great shape, just needs some screen paint and the steel support beams need the rust removed and painted over. Let the classic movies show again for the local Native Americans that live in this area. I wonder If It was a Shelby built screen, looks very sturdy. I think It has lights for intermission above the screen?
I hope someone can save this theater.
Most of this area was on Indian land a long time ago now they have to buy It back.
Was this drive-in site on indian land before it was built? Why the name Circus?
The Circus Drive In days are numbered Oct 2019. The property has just been sold to the local Indian tribe in the area.They plan on tearing down the Circus lot. We are trying to tell them to keep the great, still in good shape steal large CinemaScope® screen, just needs a little paint and fix the rust on the bottom steal. Will make a great nostalgia place to watch DVD movies with a lawn and picnic tables in front for the Native American kids to watch movies is the summer months, no cars. They can put a cheap bright video projector with a good wide zoom lens from any new building they put up on the former Circus space. It will cost them big $ to tear down the screen. Check out some of my new private photos I just took of this classic still in good shape long closed drive In Theatre soon to leave us. Thanks to the current lease holder of RV’s/vans and trailers that let me take photos for ‘Cinema Treasures’ before It goes of the movie lot plus the indoor closed candy/projection building and the spooky managers apartment upstairs. Spread the word to SAVE THE SCREEN PLEASE!! In Anacortes WA Time is running out!
Looks like a person could reopen this theater because it’s still in decent condition.
would be amazing if it was reopened!
The theater was operated by Jim Bonholzer, not Honholzer as noted in the overview. There are still members of the Bonholzer family residing in the area. Perhaps you could try to contact one of them.
Does anybody know who the current owners are?
I driven past this drive-in on the way to the Blue Fox on Whidbey Island. I’ve only only stopped a few times though, and was ready for another look. It appears the Circus is no longer an ‘active’ storage yard. Most of the boats were in the front part of the field, which is mostly cleared out now. Most of the ones in the back rows looked to be in bad shape, maybe abandoned. The front & backs gates are locked up, but there are some fence panels that have fallen down, granting access, if you’re brave enough.
A few pictures