While the peak of drive-in popularity might be in the rearview mirror, there are still about 320 in the United States that charm moviegoers with nostalgia and family fun.
Nearly 25% of these drive-ins are in New York, Pennsylvania and Ohio, according to DriveInMove.com, the oldest online database for drive-ins.
Twenty-four are still in operation in Buckeye State, with about a third in northeast Ohio, including the Lynn Drive-In in Strasburg, the state’s oldest running theater and the second oldest in the world.
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“We go there because it’s different,” said Holly Stutzman of Massillon. “Hot summer nights with a container of buttered popcorn and a pop make you feel like you’ve come from another time.”
A number of drive-ins have opened for their 2022 season with a limited schedule. Their schedules expand with the Memorial Day holiday.
‘Nothing else like it.’
Nathan Rambaud, also from Massillon, said drive-ins were an integral part of his children’s youth. They are now adults.
“From the last day of school every summer, at least once a week, we would fill the van with blankets, pillows and folding chairs, put on our pajamas and drive to Strasbourg for the Lynn Drive-In,” said he declared. . “We’d all have our own little nook to cozy up under the stars and watch two first-run movies for less than the price of one at a local theater. Nothing like it.”
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Here are some of the places you and your family can watch movies from the comfort of your vehicle or under the stars:
(Note: few drive-ins allow outside food or drink without paying extra. Concessions are the main source of revenue for drive-in operators).
Lynn Drive-In
Address: 9735 US Route 250, Strasbourg
The ticket office opens: 7 p.m.
Screens: Two, double bill
Ticket prices: $7 adults; $3 children from 5 to 11 years old with an adult; children under 5 are free. Cash only.
Concessions: Yes, outside food allowed.
Other info: Movies are broadcast in HD FM stereo. Pets are not allowed. A flea market takes place from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sundays from April to October.
Website: www.lynndrivein.com
Drive-in halfway
Address: 736 State Route 59, Ravenna
The ticket office opens: 7:30 p.m.
Screens: Two, double bill
Ticket prices: $25 per car
Concessions: Yes; $10 extra for food and drinks outside
Other info: Does not accept cards that require PIN codes, such as a debit card. Parking spaces cannot be reserved or held for others. No alcoholic beverages or drugs.
Website: www.funflick.com/midway/
Mayfield Road Drive-In Drive-In
Address: 12100 State Route 322, Thistle
The ticket office opens: 7:30 p.m.
Screens: One, double bill
Ticket prices: $25 per car
Concessions: Yes; $10 extra for food and drinks outside
Other info: Does not accept cards that require PIN codes, such as a debit card. Parking spaces cannot be reserved or held for others. No alcoholic beverages or drugs.
Website: https://funflick.com/mayfield/
Skyway Twin
Address: 1825 N. Leavitt Road NW, Warren
The ticket office opens: 7:30 p.m.
Screens: Two, double bill
Ticket prices: $9 general, $5 from 4 to 11 years old and free for children under 4 years old
Concessions: Yes; supplement for outside food.
Other info: Includes a separate 2,600 square foot arena for laser tag games for a fee, starting at $3 per game.
Website: www.skywaydrivein.com
elm road
Address: 1895 Elm Road NE, Warren
The ticket office opens: 7 p.m.
Screens: Three, double bill
Ticket prices: $11 adults, $6 3-11 years old and free for children under 3 years old. MONEY ONLY!
Concessions: Yes; cash or credit cards. Supplement for outside meals.
Other info: Dogs are welcome but the owners take responsibility. The only drive-in in the region with three screens.
Website: www.elmroadtripledrivein.com
Magic City Drive-in Theater
Address: 5602 S. Cleveland-Massillon Road, Barberton
The ticket office opens: Opens one hour before the start of the show
Screens: Two, double bill
Ticket prices: $25 per vehicle. Credit cards accepted.
Concessions: Yes; $10 extra for food and drinks outside
Other info: All trucks, vans, SUVs and large vehicles must park next to the yellow speaker poles. Animals accepted on a leash. Rain checks are only issued in the event of a power outage.
Website: www.magiccitydrive-in.com
Blue Sky Drive
Address: 959 Broad Street, Wadsworth
The ticket office opens: Opens one hour before the show
Screens: Two, double bill
Ticket prices: $25 per vehicle. Credit cards accepted.
Concessions: Yes; $10 extra for food and drinks outside
Other info: All trucks, vans, SUVs and large vehicles must park next to the yellow speaker poles. Animals accepted on a leash. Rain checks are only issued in the event of a power outage.
Website: www.blueskydrive-in.com
Auto-O-Rama Twin Drive In
Address: 133395 Lorain Road, North Ridgeville
The ticket office opens: 8 p.m.
Screens: Two, double bill
Ticket prices: $11 adults; $6 under 12 years old. Credit cards accepted.
Concessions: Yes
Other info: No outside food or drink except bottled water and baby food. Select movies with subtitles on Wednesday nights. Tickets can be purchased online and at the box office.
Website: https://www.autoramadrivein.com
Springmill Twin
Address: 1040 State Route 39, Mansfield
The ticket office opens: Opens one hour before the show
Screens: Two, double bill
Ticket prices: $10 adults and $5 from 3 to 11 years old. Cash and credit cards accepted.
Concessions: Yes; $10 extra for food and drinks outside
Other info: Must have a working FM radio to hear audio; none will be provided. Three first rows reserved for small vehicles. Re-entry requires a new ticket. Accepted animals.
Website: www.springmilldrive-in.com
Contact Benjamin Duer at 330-580-8567 or [email protected]
Follow on Twitter @bduerREP
