Colville's last picture show

An era is coming to an end in Colville, as the last drive-in theater in eastern Washington, the Auto Vue Drive-In Theatre, is closing in 2013.

According to the theatre's Facebook fan page, the Auto Vue has fallen victim to technology. In order to remain open, the drive-in would need to get a new digital projection system, which would cost $82,000.

The reason they need a new digital projection system is that film for 35mm projectors will no longer be produced at the end of 2013.

The drive-in also needs a new screen, at a cost of $94,000, for a grand total of $176,000 in upgrades to stay open.

On its Facebook page the theatre said that it's "just not financially feasible to keep the drive-in open any longer."

Opened in 1953, the drive-in will be closing after Labor Day weekend in 2013 as it celebrates its 60th -- and final -- anniversary.

According to the website drive-ins.com, the Auto Vue Drive-in Theatre is one of only six drive-ins still open in Washington State and is the only one remaining in eastern Washington.