By Stephen Smoot
On an unseasonably cool and cloudy, but still very pleasant Saturday afternoon, Warner’s Drive In and its supporters celebrated a dream almost a decade in the making.
Its board advertised a community party, but provided a cultural event. During the course of the day, hundreds came and went. They saw the performers of Raymond’s Gymnastics and the Little Switzerland Cloggers. Cathy Milton provided stories of family history and local heritage. Then came music from the Now and Then band, the Jesse Milnes Band, and the headliners, Robin and Linda Williams.
In between the attractions, the board of directors took the time to celebrate the stage and thank the supporters who made it possible.
Just before the presentation, Milton presented stories about figures and families from Pendleton County’s past. She wore a period dark colored dress and displayed beside her what she referred to as a “living quilt,” started by her ancestor in 1835.
Between 50 and 60 gathered in the tent close to the stage. Perhaps just as many perused the vendors and other exhibits about 40 yards up the hill. Between the two masses of adults, children ran happily, playing ball and enjoying the day.
“We have a wonderful community here,” exclaimed Milton, who added that she “is humbled and honored at the chance to speak today.”
Then Bob Davis from the board herded those to be thanked onto the stage and informed the crowd “we’re going to cut a ribbon and make it official, then go right into the music.” He called playfully, “All you people hiding behind the curtains, it’s time to come out!” He then turned to the crowd and in the jaunty spirit of the day, said, “We thought we should probably dedicate something!”
Davis provided a short history of the theater and of drive-ins in America. He shared that in the region “this is the only (drive-in) theater standing and we about lost this theater too.” Davis gave credit for the rescue, saying, “Only because of Hal Stickley did this theater get saved.” Stickley led a community drive to keep the property from being taken by the state to expand a West Virginia Department of Highways facility nearby.
Davis explained that the idea came in a “dreaming session” held in 2016 to explore the possible potential of the facility. A stage was proposed, then put on the back burner in favor of getting the theater and concession stand in shape.
Roger Dahmer, Pendleton County commissioner, shared that he learned a love of drive-in movies in his home town of Saint Albans and also shared that West Virginia only has five remaining. Late last year, the state lost a drive-in in Harrison County to fire. He called the theater and stage “a valuable piece of Americana” and praised the board for “thought outside the box by adding the Starlight Stage.” Dahmer also shared that “people also come here for the great food,” drawn by the reputation of the concession stand and its many offerings.
Davis thanked the various incarnations of the West Virginia Division of Arts, History, and Culture that have bounced around state government in the past decade, sharing that agency had a supportive hand in every structure used.
He also thanked the Pianfetti Foundation, the Pendleton County Commission for the Arts, Jeff and Teresa Munn from Dry Run Spirits, and Country Capital and Recreational Economies and all others who provided help and support. He described how Russ VanMeter and his family designed and built the stage, right down to decorative carvings placed on it. Dan Wheeler assisted with painting and also conjured the magical name of the stage. Finally, John and Michelle Connor helped with the clear sound system.
Jenna Green from the WV Division of Arts Culture and History shared a few words and called the stage “my absolute favorite” project. For her constant support, the board presented her with a token of appreciation in the form of a framed poster of the theater signed by a local artist.
Crafters completed the cultural entertainment and education of the day. These included Trish Upton from Blackthorn Lavender, Heather Harper and beekeeping, Teresa Munn’s Woven Vistas Fiber Art, basket weaving by Donna Bedwell, board painting by Cassie Hubbs, spinning by Holly Hubbs, goat farming and related products from Barbara Umling, and books on Pendleton County history from David Umling.
Exhibitors also included Future Generations University, Cool Hollow Farms, Experience Learning, and Franklin Parks and Recreation.
The concession stand and Farm2Flame cooked up the food enjoyed all day.
Touches of color on the trees of surrounding ridges and the ever so slight nip in the air signaled the coming end of the facility’s service for 2025. Board members are excited to bring both the theater and stage to full life when the warm weather returns.
