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entertainment
An American Classic Returns words Dwain Hebda IMAGEs courtesy Kenda Drive-In, Flintrock Media Bob King, Arkansas Mobile Theater, Fort Smith Brewing Company
It’s Friday night in north Arkansas and as the summer sun starts to sink in the west, cars are already lining up at the Kenda Drive-In Theatre. Kenda Dearing is in the concession stand, popping popcorn, pouring drinks and flipping burgers. You can get a cheeseburger here for almost pocket change – heck, make it a double. The prices Kenda Dearing
here, like the movie experience, are something from yesteryear. “It’s more than just the movie. It’s an experience,” Kenda says. “It’s grandparents bringing grandkids. It’s family together. When you come here, you still have family interaction. It’s not just sitting in a seat concentrating on a movie. It’s an overall experience. It does go back to simpler times with family interaction and that’s kind of the key.” If you think it’s a remarkable coincidence that the concessions manager shares the same name as the Marshall, Arkansas,
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