Sentinel photo by MIKE GOSS
The iconic sign for the Midway Drive-In Theatre in Mifflintown stands by the entrance off William Penn Highway.

MIFFLINTOWN — Watching a movie under the stars at the Midway Drive-In Theatre in Mifflintown is still a bargain.

Starting this spring, bringing your own food will cost a bit more.

Tim and Lacie Wert haven’t made many changes to the landmark theater along William Penn Highway, including ticket prices which remain at $8 for adults and $5 for children ages 3 to 11 and free for children 2 and under.

A change to their food concession policy was necessary to protect their bottom line. “People don’t understand that we make most of our revenue from the concession stand,” Lacie Wert explained. “If people are bringing in food from the outside, it defeats the point of a drive-in.”

With movie brokers taking their cut from ticket sales, there’s not much left for the drive-in owners. The remainder isn’t enough to cover operating costs.

Patrons who want to bring in their own food can do that night by purchasing a $15 permit.

“This was not a decision we made lightly,” Wert explained. “We are not trying to punish people for bringing in their own food. We understand that there are people who want a different kind of food.

“We would prefer they visit the concession stand,” she added. “They do have that option. If everyone brought in outside food and drink, we wouldn’t have an outside drive-in.”

For patrons, who bring their own food and visit the theater’s concession stand, Wert said the permit can be redeemed as a $15 credit for purchases of $15 or more. The permit will be good for the date purchased and can be used at the stand only on that date.

Food permits can be purchased at the box office where movie tickets are also available.

Midway officials spoke with owners at the Super 322 Drive-in in Clearfield about instituting food permits. “The theater in Clearfield has been doing it for several years now,” Wert said.

Wert and her family have been preparing the theater for opening weekend on May 12. The theater opens with a double-feature of “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” and “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish.”

“We had a little time over the winter to ease into it,” said Wert, who’s family purchased the drive-in in December. “We’ve definitely been on the move the last few weeks, dotting the I’s and crossing the T’s.

“We’ve gotten all the advertisements done, the food orders, everything needed a good scrubbing and cleaning,” she added. “We’ve been doing what we can to get ready for the opening.”

Wert also encouraged patrons to line up their vehicles to avoid blocking neighbors’ driveways or park in their yards.

“We’re anxious to turn everything on and see it working,” she said. “We’re nervous at the same time.”

Gates will open around 7:30 p.m., which is earlier than in previous years. “We want to accommodate people coming in early who want to hang out with family before the first feature starts,” Wert said.

Wert said the concession stand will offer outdoor activities such as frisbees and balls for patrons to use.

The concession stand will also use a new food vendor this season, so “we have the same menu, but it might taste a little different,” Wert said.

All ticket and concession sales remain cash only as the theater does not have Internet service. “We’re not there yet,” she added.

For more information, call (717) 436-6011 or visit www.midwaytheatre.com or find them on Facebook.