At the drive-in this summer: Movies, carnivals and antiques

WEIRS BEACH — If there are still a few spots left on your summer to-do list, you would be able to fill them with visits to the Weirs Drive-In, which is featuring a rotating schedule of attractions this year.

For July, the drive-in is doing what it’s best known for: showing movies. Cindi Baldi, a member of the family who owns the iconic property, is making a few adjustments this year.

“We’re going to play first-run movies, just single features, through Aug. 2,” Baldi said. Last year, they noticed many patrons stayed for just the first movie, so they’re doing away with double-features this summer. They are also publishing fixed start times for movies — 9 p.m. for now, 8:45 p.m. next week — instead of the less specific “dusk” start time advertised in the past.

Lastly, Baldi cautioned that guests who arrive after the feature has begun won’t be permitted to drive into the viewing area, for concern they’ll disrupt the enjoyment of those already watching the film. Any late arrivals will be invited to walk in, and perhaps take a spot at a picnic table to watch the movie.

As soon as the popcorn is swept up after the August showings, the carnival rides are due to arrive for the next flavor of fun at the drive-in. The property will be hosting carnival rides over two weekends in August.

Why is the drive-in hosting a carnival, you might ask? Well, why not?

“They called, and we were like, 'That sounds like a great idea,'” said Baldi. “This is a carnival group that goes all over the country,” and will set up with the kind of amusement rides often seen at fair midways.

Baldi said she thinks it’s the kind of family-friendly diversion Weirs Beach needs.

“That’s been part of the problem for us closing down, we’re a family drive-in,” she said, referring to the family’s public decision to wind down the movie business and market the property for sale. There are still arcades and go-karts to give people something to do but, “we think the area could use more stuff. And we weren’t going to be open anyway.”

The carnival rides will be running Friday through Sunday, Aug. 8-10, and again Thursday through Sunday, Aug. 14-17.

The end of August will be for antique fans, with vendors setting up for the weekend of Aug. 23-24. Lastly, Baldi said the family plans to use the property to help celebrate the spooky season in October.

The drive-in has been listed for sale for a decade now, and until someone bites on the $7.5 million asking price, Baldi said the family intends to follow the model set this year to continue using the property to bring entertainment of various forms to Weirs Beach. The drive-in started the year by hosting the New Hampshire Tow Show — a tow truck expo and competition — in May, June was all about Motorcycle Week, July is for movies and August for the carnival. Next year could look very similar, she said.

“We’ll see what else forms. That’s what we’ve got going right now,” Baldi said.