Sunday, September 5, 2010

The Vali-Hi Drive-In Theater

Since our son came into our lives, Erika and I have discovered it is a complicated (and expensive -- babysitters aren't cheap these days!) process to get out to the movies together. Our rescue for the movie blues came in the form of the drive-in theater. Pop the youngster in the car seat, and most of the time he's asleep by the time the feature starts - though he stayed awake through Iron Man II, entranced by it all.

We're particularly fond of the Vali-Hi (in Lake Elmo, MN). They do a triple feature, though we never make it to movie #3. They also don't mind if you bring your own food -- a common sight is people firing up a mini-grill they've brought along! But the coolest thing is the snack bar -- which also features a game room and collections of vintage snack bar items, motorbikes and more. With September here, and cooler weather on the way, we'll be saying goodbye to the Vali-Hi for the season quite soon, but we look forward to next Spring and their re-opening.

I'm kicking myself for not getting a shot of the sign at the theater's entrance -- but here are some pics that will give you a sense of the coolness that is the Vali-Hi.

Plus, at the end, there's a pic of a mini plush Hulk from the crane machine, that may be the goofiest superhero toy ever.

















3 comments:

Jim McClain said...

Terry, my wife and I go to the drive-in with our daughter, too. It's a great way to spend time together as a family. Great reading!

diana green said...

Last time I was at the drive-in, it was a triple feature- The Mask, The Shadow and The Crow. An all-comic book bill!
The drive-in is big fun and often has less to do with the movies than with going to the drive-in.

Blake Himsl Hunter said...

My wife and loved that drive-in and are looking for drive-ins close to where we just moved.