I was born in 1980. Many Saturday nights as a child were spent at our local drive-in. We would pack up a couple blankets and a pillow or two. As a kid it seemed like an adventure. We would watch a kid friendly movie and then the second movie was geared more toward the grown ups. As a kid it was exciting.
As an adult with 3 kids I’m a little disappointed that there aren’t as many drive-ins around anymore. Luckily though, there are still a few left. One of which is the Skyline Drive-In in Summersville, KY.
The Skyline Drive-In is about a 2 hour drive from where my family lives. But the 2 hour drive through the countryside to get to the drive-in was absolutely beautiful. The drive down there was worth the price of admission itself. Speaking of which, $10 per adult and $5 per kid was a very reasonable price.
We reached the drive-in about a half hour before dark so I sent my two oldest kids to get drinks and popcorn, which was also reasonably priced. $5 for a large pop and $5 for a huge bucket of popcorn.
As we sat, watching the sunset and waiting for the first movie to start, I couldn’t help but notice how much the drive-in reminded me of the ones from the 80’s. It was uncanny, from the sign at the entrance all the way to the look of the poles holding the screen up.
To my surprise, the drive-in wasn’t crowded at all, there was plenty of room. So much so that I’d wished that we had brought some lawn chairs. Instead we opened the back of our van and spread out in the back. As the first movie started, Despicable Me 4, I noticed that the sound quality was much improved over the 80’s. When I was a kid we had an AM/FM radio that had small speakers connected to it and sometimes there was the small single speaker that was provided by the drive-in. Now, the vehicle I was in has a complete surround sound system with a subwoofer. Even with the improved sound and noticeable better video quality, it never took away from the nostalgia of the whole experience.
During the first movie the kids enjoyed everything about it as we sat under a full moon. The full moon was an added bonus that I hadn’t even considered as well as the subsequent falling star that we witnessed.
As the first movie’s end credits were rolling came the announcement over the radio that the concession stand would be closing at the beginning of the second movie. My two oldest kids once again went to the concession stand to get us something to eat, this time it was Funnel Cake. At $5 each it was yet another good deal.
As if the funnel cake wasn’t enough, the second movie began to play. A movie that me and the kids were more excited for than the first. Back To The Future. Not some remake, just a good 80’s classic. The experience was perfect. Absolutely perfect, and a great way to end an already perfect night.
After having some slight trouble starting our van at the end of the night (the downside of having a full surround sound system with subwoofer), we exited the drive in. Our way up the road was lit by a Dollar General sign. I believe the Dollar General was there when we got to the drive-in but you can never be too sure when it comes to these things. I will admit that the long drive back home wasn’t as enjoyable as the drive down there was, but the trip was a worthwhile one and it will be something that I think my kids will remember as they get older.
Skyline Drive-In
Drive-In Movie Theater located in Summersville Ky. We sell a variety of food at the concession stand.
