Central Illinois drive-in theater back open after record rainfall

Posted on August 16, 2021
The Harvest Moon Twin drive-in theater is located at 1175 S. Sangamon Ave., in Gibson City. (Photo courtesy: Harvest Moon Twin drive-in theater/Facebook)

By Blake Haas

GIBSON CITY – A Central Illinois drive-in theater is back open after Gibson City received record levels of rainfall.

Last week, parts of the city received at least 10 inches of rain, causing the Harvest Moon Twin Drive-in theater to close.

However, thanks to the herculean effort from employees and community members, the drive-in opened in time to show films less than 72 hours after the flooding.

“We had probably about 10 to 12 inches worth of water in the snack bar and then our other buildings. And then our back-projection booth had quite a bit of water in it as well. We had a couple of employees that we’re able to come down to lift some stuff up and save some stuff,” an employee told WJBC’s, Marc Strauss.

According to a video posted on the business’s social media pages, the drive-in is borrowing equipment from other facilities until replacement parts can be ordered.

“We’ve had water before, but we’ve never had it get into the buildings like it did this time, so it was pretty crazy,” added the employee.

The Harvest Moon Twin drive-in theater is located at 1175 S. Sangamon Ave., in Gibson City.

Blake Haas can be reached at [email protected].

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