Skyview Cruise-In has an old-fashioned atmosphere that includes old-style car speakers as an option, with up-to-date sight and sound technology. (Credit: Ken Drenten)

By Ken Drenten

I’m old enough that I can remember piling into a car with my friends and going to drive-in movie theatres like the East Main Drive-In in Whitehall and the 40 East Twin out past Reynoldsburg in the 1970s and 1980s. Both of those drive-ins are long gone.

Later, in the early 1990s, I was a local newspaper editor and wrote a feature story about a typical day of the owner/manager of the Reynoldsburg drive-in movie theatre. Let me tell you, those folks earn every dollar.

So it’s a privilege for us that in 2024, there are still a few of these places left, and we can still enjoy summer nights watching a movie under the stars.

Among Ohio’s oldest outdoor movie theatres, Skyview Cruise-In opened in 1948 and continues to strive to provide quality, affordable family entertainment.

The Lancaster drive-in was the first outdoor movie theatre in the state to have HD picture and sound (installed in 2011). Nostalgic car speakers are still available for use if you like, or you can choose state-of-the-art FM stereo sound using your car’s stereo.

The theatre’s concession stand offers all a moviegoer could dream of, including sandwiches, pizza, French fries, popcorn, candy, ice cream treats, soft drinks and more. The stand still uses the original hot dog bun warmer from 1948.

Skyview Cruise-In is located at 2420 E. Main St. (US 22), Lancaster, about three miles east of downtown Lancaster. Advance ticketing is available online.

Learn more about many other Ohio outdoor theatres at Dusty Tires.

Ken Drenten is creator and editor of Dusty-Tires.com, a travel blog for out-of-the-ordinary places in Ohio.

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