SACO – Get ready to pack up the kids and head for the Saco Drive-In for movies under the stars.

The popular venue will soon be open in a new location at Aquaboggan Water Park, just across Route 1 from its former longtime locale.

The target date is Memorial Day weekend, said Aquaboggan owner Wes Hurst.

“Everything is pretty much finished,” said Hurst. The big 70-foot by 50-foot screen is up, the food concession stand has been built, and will get a coat or two of paint. But aside from incidentals, the much-loved drive-in theater is ready to roll, he said.

The Saco Drive-in first opened in 1939, and is part of the fabric of southern Maine. It has been a popular venue for local families, a place to see a movie with your sweetheart, and part of the vacation experience for folks spending time camping or at a summer beach cottage.

“Everyone has been asking when it is opening,” said Hurst. “There’s been a great response.”

Hurst decided to see what could be done to save the popular venue more than a year ago, when Roberge Construction, which had owned the drive in since 1986, announced it would not reopen and the property was to be sold.

“Everyone said “we’ve got to save the drive-in,’” said Hurst. “I said “we’ll buy the equipment and see where we go”…then we said we might as well build a screen and get it in operation, and that’s where we’re at.”

He said the folks at Roberge Construction have been helpful.

Hurst said the likely schedule would see the drive-in open to the public five nights a week, with the availability for groups and companies to rent it the other two nights.

There has been a test run – for a good cause. Late last year, the drive-in opened for a two-night fundraiser for Toys for Tots, featuring the movie ‘The Grinch’ with donations of brand-new toys as the admission fee.

Hurst estimated the venue can accommodate 180-200 cars.

As to the first movies? Well, stay tuned - which ones will debut in the drive-in’s new location is in the planning stages, he said.

The familiar Saco Drive-In sign will be moved across the street to Aquaboggan at some point, and Hurst said he also plans to restore a much older neon drive-in sign that he acquired.

According to the Aquaboggan website, drive-in admission is $25 per vehicle for up to three people, and $5 for each additional person.

Former state legislator and current York County Commissioner Justin Chenette, who was part of a successful 2013 community effort to assure the drive in could enter the digital age, said he’s glad it will continue on.

“I have fond memories of piling into the back of the car, opening up the hatchback and watching the latest flick with my family,” said Chenette. “It was truly a whole experience, not just about the movie. Going to the drive-in enabled families like mine to afford to have fun outings. The Saco Drive-In is a true historic gem that transports us back to another era…. The next generation of Maine families and tourists alike will get to experience this slice of Americana.”

Roberge Construction announced in February 2022 that the property was to be sold and said the pandemic had played a role in its decision. Hale Trailer, Brake & Wheel plans a sales and service company there and is currently engaged in the planning and permitting process with the city of Saco.

“Covid played a part in our decision from having to operate at reduced capacity, inconsistent supply chains, staffing shortages, movie shortages and online streaming to name a few,” the company said in a social media posting when it announced the closure. A month later, it expressed delight that its neighbor Aquaboggan would continue the historic venue on its property across the street.

Saco Economic Development Director Tracey Desjardins said she recalls going to the Skowhegan drive-in as a child. The Skowhegan venue is one of a handful of drive-in theaters that continue to operate in Maine.

“Drive-ins are icons in communities,” said Desjardins. She noted at Aquaboggan, people will be able to have a fun day at the water park and then watch a movie later. “For someone to bring the icon back, and not see it fade away is a bonus,” she said.

Hurst said the news that the Saco Drive-in will continue on at a new home at Aquaboggan has been well received.

“People seem very positive,” he said.