Did you know there's a drive-in movie theater located in Shelby, just about an hour's drive from Hickory? It's called Sunset Drive-In and it's a great destination for your next out-of-the-box weekend movie night with the family.
Owned and operated by the Stinnett family since 1984, Sunset Drive-In Theatre strives to provide an affordable family-friendly evening full of entertainment and excitement. Every Friday and Saturday night, rain or shine, mid-April through September, Sunset is open with a double feature of two newly released motion pictures. The first showing is a family-friendly movie rated G or PG, followed by the second movie typically rated PG-13 or R. Gates open at 7pm and the first movie starts when it is dark enough, typically 8:30 or 9pm.
Admission is $12 per car, cash only. Parking is on a first-come, first-served basis and each carload may use up only one space. Bring your own blankets and/or chairs, which must be placed in front of the vehicle so not to encroach onto another parking spot. Pets, tents, grills, fireworks or laser pointers are not allowed, but you can bring in outside food. The snack bar, which is the only source of income for the theater, is located on property offering everything from candy, popcorn and soda to sandwiches, fries and ice cream cones, all at very reasonable prices. Restrooms are available at the back of the snack bar building.
Bring with you everything you need for an evening outside: blankets, chairs, sleeping bags/pillows, bug spray, and warm layers of clothing. Flashlights can come in handy to help kids find their way to the restroom in the dark. It's always a good idea to arrive early to give yourself plenty of time to setup before the movie starts (at least 30 minutes before show time to secure a spot). Bring games or equipment for the kids to play and a camera to snap pictures at the photo booth; visit the snack bar and enjoy a picnic dinner to pass the time before the movie. Invite friends and make it a fun social outing!
IMPORTANT: Besides the speakers attached to the left side of the concession stand, there are no working speakers on the field at Sunset Drive-In. Sound is broadcast over radio frequency at 97.7 FM. Therefore, you must have a working radio in your vehicle or bring with you a battery-operated one to listen to the movie. There is a short intermission between the two movies, at which time you may exit the field if not staying for the second feature, which starts at approximately 10:30pm.
Drive-in movie theaters evoke memories of classic American family fun. And watching a movie on the big screen under the stars combines two great experiences into one. Treat your family to a unique movie night at Sunset Drive-In, located at 3935 Sunset Blvd in Shelby, NC. For more information, including movie schedules, visit sunsetdriveintheatre.com, like them on Facebook, or call (704) 434-7782.
