Summer fun: Here's your guide to drive-in theaters in Northeast Ohio
While the peak popularity of drive-in theaters might be in the rear-view mirror, there are still about 320 left in the United States that charm moviegoers with nostalgia and family fun.
Nearly 25% of these drive-ins can be found in New York, Pennsylvania and Ohio, according to DriveInMovie.com, the oldest online database for drive-in theaters.
Twenty-four are still in operation in the Buckeye State, with about a third of those in Northeast Ohio, including the Lynn Drive-In in Strasburg, the state's oldest running theater and second oldest in the world.
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"We go because it's different," said Holly Stutzman of Massillon. "The warm summer nights with a container of buttered popcorn and a pop makes you feel like you are from another time."
A number of drive-in theaters 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 of Massillon, said drive-in movies were a huge part of his children's youth. They're now adults.
"Beginning on the last day of school each summer, at least once a week we'd pack the van with blankets, pillows and folding chairs, throw on our pajamas, and head out to Strasburg for the Lynn Drive-In," he said. "We'd all have our own little area to get comfy under the stars and watch two first-run movies for less than the cost of one at a local theater. Nothing else like it."
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Here are some of the places you and your family can enjoy watching movies from the comforts of your vehicle or under the stars:
(Note: Few drive-ins allow outside food or beverages without paying an additional surcharge. Concessions are the main source of revenue for drive-in operators).
Lynn Drive-In
Address: 9735 U.S. Route 250, Strasburg
Box office opens: 7 p.m.
Screens: Two, double bill
Ticket prices: $7 adults; $3 children 5-11 with an adult; children under 5 are free. Cash only.
Concessions: Yes, outside food allowed.
Other info: Movies are broadcast in HD FM stereo. No pets allowed. A flea market is held 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sundays from April through October.
Website: www.lynndrivein.com
Midway Drive-In
Address: 736 State Route 59, Ravenna
Box office opens: 7:30 p.m.
Screens: Two, double bill
Ticket prices: $25 carload
Concessions: Yes; $10 surcharge for outside food and beverages
Other info: Does not accept cards that require pin numbers, like 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
Address: 12100 State Route 322, Chardon
Box office opens: 7:30 p.m.
Screens: One, double bill
Ticket prices: $25 carload
Concessions: Yes; $10 surcharge for outside food and beverages
Other info: Does not accept cards that require pin numbers, like 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
Box office opens: 7:30 p.m.
Screens: Two, double bill
Ticket prices: $9 general, $5 ages 4-11 and free for under 4
Concessions: Yes; surcharge for outside food.
Other info: Features a separate 2,600-square-foot arena for laser tag games for a fee, starting at $3 a game.
Website: www.skywaydrivein.com
Elm Road
Address: 1895 Elm Road NE, Warren
Box office opens: 7 p.m.
Screens: Three, double bill
Ticket prices: $11 adults, $6 ages 3-11 and free for under 3. CASH ONLY!
Concessions: Yes; cash or credit cards. Surcharge for outside food.
Other info: Dogs welcomed but patrons assume responsibility. The only drive-in in the area with three screens.
Website: www.elmroadtripledrivein.com
Magic City Drive-In
Address: 5602 S. Cleveland-Massillon Road, Barberton
Box office opens: Opens one hour prior to showtime
Screens: Two, double bill
Ticket prices: $25 per vehicle. Credit cards accepted.
Concessions: Yes; $10 surcharge for outside food and beverages
Other info: All trucks, vans, SUVs and large vehicle must park next to yellow speaker poles. Pets permitted on a leash. Rainchecks only issued in a power outage.
Website: www.magiccitydrive-in.com
Blue Sky Drive
Address: 959 Broad St., Wadsworth
Box office opens: Opens one hour before showtime
Screens: Two, double bill
Ticket prices: $25 per vehicle. Credit cards accepted.
Concessions: Yes; $10 surcharge for outside food and beverages
Other info: All trucks, vans, SUVs and large vehicle must park next to yellow speaker poles. Pets permitted on a leash. Rainchecks only issued in a power outage.
Website: www.blueskydrive-in.com
Aut-O-Rama Twin Drive In
Address: 133395 Lorain Road, North Ridgeville
Box office opens: 8 p.m.
Screens: Two, double bill
Ticket prices: $11 adults; $6 under 12. Credit cards accepted.
Concessions: Yes
Other info: No outside food or beverages except for bottled water and food for babies. Select films shown with captions on Wednesday night. Tickets can be bought online and at the box office.
Website: https://www.autoramadrivein.com
Springmill Twin
Address: 1040 State Route 39, Mansfield
Box office opens: Opens one hour before showtime
Screens: Two, double bill
Ticket prices: $10 adults and $5 ages 3-11. Cash and credit cards accepted.
Concessions: Yes; $10 surcharge for outside food and beverages
Other info: Must have a working FM radio to hear the audio; none will be supplied. First three rows reserved for small vehicles. Re-entry requires new ticket. Pets permitted.
Website: www.springmilldrive-in.com
Reach Benjamin Duer at 330-580-8567 or ben.duer@cantonrep.com
Follow on Twitter @bduerREP
This article originally appeared on The Repository: Northeast Ohio drive-in theaters are ready to entertain families
