Minnesota in Photos

An exploration of our state in images.

September 28, 2012

Photos: Credits roll on closing Cottage View Drive-In theater


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The Cottage View Drive-In held a community event Thursday to celebrate the theater's 46-year history and to bid farewell to the Cottage Grove, Minn. landmark. The theater, which is only one of two remaining in the Twin Cities, is closing at the end of this season and will be replaced by a Walmart. Patrons filled the parking lot for a sing-along version of "Grease", exhibited classic cars and competed in a costume contest. The theater will remain open during weekends into October, depending on weather conditions.

Cottage View Drive-In

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Cottage Grove, Minnesota, USA — Cars begin to enter the Cottage View Drive-In for a community farewell event in Cottage Grove, Minn. Thursday, Sept. 27, 2012. The theater, which opened in 1966, is closing and the land will be sold at the end of this season. (MPR Photo/Jeffrey Thompson) link to this photo

Helping her brother

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Cottage Grove, Minnesota, USA — Brianna Magnuson, 19, assists her brother Danny Anderson, 3, both of Welch, Minn., out of bed of a truck during a community event and free showing of "Grease" at Cottage View Drive-In in Cottage Grove, Minn. Thursday, Sept. 27, 2012. (MPR Photo/Jeffrey Thompson) link to this photo

Crossword puzzle

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Cottage Grove, Minnesota, USA — Pam Ganrud of Hastings, Minn. works on a crossword puzzle while waiting for the movie "Grease" to start at Cottage View Drive-In in Cottage Grove, Minn. Thursday, Sept. 27, 2012. (MPR Photo/Jeffrey Thompson) link to this photo

Friends joking together

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Cottage Grove, Minnesota, USA — Seventh grade friends, from left, Ellie Schwartz, Mackenzie Lawrence and Jenna Glass, all of Cottage Grove, Minn. prepare their perch during a farewell event at Cottage View Drive-In in Cottage Grove, Minn. Thursday, Sept. 27, 2012. (MPR Photo/Jeffrey Thompson) link to this photo

Crowds mingle

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Cottage Grove, Minnesota, USA — The parking lot at Cottage View Drive-In in Cottage Grove, Minn. fills up for a farewell event and showing of "Grease" Thursday, Sept. 27, 2012. (MPR Photo/Jeffrey Thompson) link to this photo

Checking makeup

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Cottage Grove, Minnesota, USA — Dressed as Marilyn Monroe, Jennie Gorbunow, of Cottage Grove, Minn., checks her makeup at Cottage View Drive-In in Cottage Grove, Minn. Thursday, Sept. 27, 2012. Gorbunow competed in the costume contest held during a farewell event at the theater. (MPR Photo/Jeffrey Thompson) link to this photo

Getting ready for the movie

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Cottage Grove, Minnesota, USA — Kenya Taylor, 5, prepares to watch "Grease" at the Cottage View Drive-In in Cottage Grove, Minn. Thursday, Sept. 27, 2012. (MPR Photo/Jeffrey Thompson) link to this photo

Coordinating the costume contest

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Cottage Grove, Minnesota, USA — City of Cottage Grove Economic Development Director Danette Parr talks with Elvis impersonator Art Kistler during the costume contest at the Cottage View Drive-In in Cottage Grove, Minn. Thursday, Sept. 27, 2012. (MPR Photo/Jeffrey Thompson) link to this photo

Setting sun

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Cottage Grove, Minnesota, USA — The sun sets on the patrons at the Cottage View Drive-In in Cottage Grove, Minn. Thursday, Sept. 27, 2012. (MPR Photo/Jeffrey Thompson) link to this photo

Starting projector

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Cottage Grove, Minnesota, USA — Cottage View Drive-In manger Ed Stofferan starts the projector in Cottage Grove, Minn. Thursday, Sept. 27, 2012. (MPR Photo/Jeffrey Thompson) link to this photo

Projecting a movie

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Cottage Grove, Minnesota, USA — The projector begins at the Cottage View Drive-In in Cottage Grove, Minn. Thursday, Sept. 27, 2012. (MPR Photo/Jeffrey Thompson) link to this photo

Decorative dice

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Cottage Grove, Minnesota, USA — Decorative dice hang in a classic car during a showing of "Grease" at the Cottage View Drive-In in Cottage Grove, Minn. Thursday, Sept. 27, 2012. (MPR Photo/Jeffrey Thompson) link to this photo

Watching in comfort

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Cottage Grove, Minnesota, USA — Grace Brabec, 9, of Excelsior, Minn. finds a comfortable place to watch "Grease" at the Cottage View Drive-In in Cottage Grove, Minn. Thursday, Sept. 27, 2012. It was Brabec's first visit to a drive-in theater, and her mother brought her to make sure she was able to enjoy the experience before drive-ins are gone. (MPR Photo/Jeffrey Thompson) link to this photo

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