You may have heard that drive-in movie theaters are making a comeback across the country, which just might be the best thing to come from a summer of social distancing. But here in Washington, we've kept a few of our old-fashioned drive-ins alive for decades, one of which just opened for the season. And it's going to be an especially fun summer at the Skyline Drive-In Theater.
The Skyline Drive-In Theater is located in Shelton, a small city in Mason County.
Shelton is about 22 miles northwest of Olympia, so it's quite a drive for most Washingtonians. But it's worth it.
The Skyline first opened in 1964 thanks to Fred Thibodeau and Fred Hendry, who worked in the Bremerton Navy Shipyard.
On its opening night, the movie of choice was Walt Disney’s Lady and The Tramp.
The theater was constructed on 16 acres and has the capacity for 354 cars.
The family that owns the theater now bought it from its original owners and have kept things as consistent as possible.
A business like this is seasonal here in Washington, and the Skyline typically opens in late May.
Each night during the summertime, the films begin at dusk.
Keeping classic drive-ins open is important for both older and younger generations.
For those old enough to remember this place when it was new, visiting will cause some serious nostalgia. But it's also important for young families to experience it.
The Skyline Drive-In Theater is officially open for the seasons, although there will be some temporary new rules and regulations.
That being said, drive-in theaters are the perfect social distancing activity that happen to be a blast for people of all ages.
The Skyline has a fantastic lineup this summer. Check out current showtimes on their website.
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