89 Years Of Drive-In Movies: New Owners Celebrate Milestone At Lehigh Valley Theater

OREFIELD, PA — America’s oldest drive-in movie theater celebrated its 89th birthday this month in the Lehigh Valley, and its new owners are seeking to keep the nostalgia-filled experience rolling year-round.

Shankweiler’s Drive-In Theatre, located on Route 309 in Orefield, has operated since 1934. Partners Lauren McChesney and Matthew McClanahan purchased the long-running theater in fall 2022, becoming its fourth owners.

In a time when it seems like there are more streaming services than stars in the sky, Shankweiler’s invites moviegoers to stretch out under those stars and watch a movie in the time-honored drive-in tradition.

Shankweiler’s has a double-feature playing the last weekend in April of “Twister” at 8:15 p.m. and “The Shining” at 10:30 p.m. Show times run Thursday, April 27-Sunday, April 30. Gates open at 6 p.m. all four nights. Moviegoers are advised to arrive early to ensure a spot.

Tickets are $12 for adults and $8 for children under 12. Children three years old and younger are free. There is also a snack bar including hot dogs and hamburgers, french fries, popcorn, nachos, and pretzels and desserts such as funnel cake, ice cream, water ice, and cotton candy. Chips, drinks, and other candy are also for sale.

The new owners celebrated the theater’s 89th birthday on April 15 with a ribbon-cutting and a party, then a showing of the newest “Super Mario Bros. Movie” and “Dungeons and Dragons” film adaptations.

McChesney and McClanahan also have a mobile movie theater company called Moving Picture Cinema LLC that serves eastern Pennsylvania. They said they briefly considered changing the drive-in’s name in a social media post, but wanted to honor the family who started it.

Wilson Shankweiler opened the theater on April 15, 1934 behind the hotel and restaurant that he owned with his wife Daisy.

“The theater has such a long, rich history that we knew we needed to continue calling it Shankweiler's,” McChesney and McClanahan wrote. “ Thankfully we were able to purchase the rights to continue using the Shankweiler's name, logos, and slogans, ensuring that it remains Shankweiler's Drive-In Theatre for years to come.”

A TikTok video celebrating the first day under new ownership last November got more than 2 million views, as people wished them luck and shared their own drive-in memories.

“We are so honored to be able to carry on this historic venue's legacy,” the owners said.

For those interested in checking out a movie at Shankweiler’s, policies are as follows:

• The theater is open rain or shine unless weather conditions are severe. There are no refunds on ticket purchases, unless a showing is canceled.
• Driving speeds should not exceed 5 miles per hour in the theater area.
• Dogs are permitted if they are “friendly” and must be kept on a leash at all times, and not disrupt the movie.
• No sitting on top of vehicles. Chairs and blankets must be placed in front of your vehicle, not the sides.
• No grilling, cooking, or open fires.
• Outside food and drink is prohibited; there is a snack bar on location.
• All headlights, brake lights, and driving lights must be off during the show.
• Trucks, vans, SUVs and other high vehicles are required to park in designated rows unless instructed by staff to do otherwise.

The address is 4540 Shankweiler Rd, Orefield, PA 18069. Visit www.shankweilers.com for more information.