Midway Drive-In
91 Palmyra Road,
Sterling,
IL
61021
91 Palmyra Road,
Sterling,
IL
61021
3 people
favorited this theater
Related Websites
Midway Drive-In & Diner (Official)
Additional Info
Functions: Concerts, Live Performances, Movies (First Run), Special Events
Phone Numbers:
Box Office:
847.647.3124
Nearby Theaters
The Midway Drive-In opened October 1949 in Sterling, IL. The theater has been under its current ownership since 2007 when it was restored. It shows first-run features on its single screen.
The Midway Drive-In also has a playground and a concession stand with everything from popcorn to pizza. The drive-in’s season runs from April to September, and in October a ‘Fall Festival’ featuring corn mazes, pumpkins, fall themed refreshments, fun & games for the whole family, amusement park rides, and in the evening Haunted Attractions. The Midway Drive-In also hosts live entertainmet and concerts.
Contributed by
Bryan
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Recent comments (view all 8 comments)
Who owns this theater now? Sensible Cinemas no longer lists it. 21st Century Cinemas, owner of Dixon’s Plaza 4 (which was co-owned with the Midway Drive-In for a while) does not list it, either. The phone number has usually been disconnected during the off-season, but it remains disconnected now in mid-April. I hope it has not closed permanently.
To my knowledge, they are not a previous owner. Unfortunately, Bowman doesn’t seem to have a Web site to confirm that.
My sister tells me that the marquee currently indicates the theater opens for the season on May 5. I guess that answers my question.
Thank you lostmemory for posting that updated photo of the Midway Drive-In screen tower! My wife and I purchased the Midway in 2007 and have completely restored the Midway (including the screen tower).
Below is the updated info for the Midway Drive-In
The Midway Drive-In opened in August 1950. The Midway currently plays double features of First-Run films.
Operated by – Kerz Productions, Inc. since August 2007
The Drive-In looks so much better than when I came through 8 years ago and photographed it. Best of luck with it.
Thanks Norman! I’ve seen some of your other photos. You’ve done an amazing job documenting classic theaters!
According to their website the Midway Drive-In has made the conversion to digital projection
The 1952-56 Theatre Catalogs list it under Prairieville, capacity 400, Exec: John Kontos, L. G. Rorer, Prairieville Th. Corp.
The 1959 IMPA lists it in Prairieview (sic), capacity 475, owned by “Kontos & Rorer”. The 1963 edition gets Prairieville right.
The 1969-76 IMPAs didn’t list it at all. Weird! It’s back by the 1982-84 editions, now in Sterling, run by L&M Mgt. The 1986-88 IMPAs switched the owner to Bowman Ths.