Written by Lexi Baysinger. Media by Noah Henry
Many of us enjoy watching movies, but even more of us don’t want to pay the high cost of going to the movie theater. In Greenville, the only way to see current movies is the Globe, and while it is a good movie theater, and the prices aren’t too high, sometimes people want a bigger variety of movies, and don’t necessarily want to sit inside a movie theater for two and a half hours. Here enters the opportunity to get out of town and head over to the Skyview Drive-In movie theater in Belleville, IL.
The Skyview’s grand opening was in 1949. Throughout the years, it has taken serious storm damage and has rebuilt three times. On the grounds where Skyview is located, they not only have two movie screens, but a playground for kids to play on while they wait for the movie to start. They also have a snack stand in between the two movie screens. Now, the drive-in offers double features, on each movie screen.
Drive-in theaters are a dying breed. Just a few years ago they were the place to be, but as technology in actual movie theaters grew, people were more attracted to watching movies in enclosed areas. But there are so many advantages to going to a drive-in theater:
1. Snacks
While many movie theaters sell candy and popcorn, and other snacks to accompany the movie, their snacks are, to be honest, overpriced for the size of food they give you. But at the drive-in, you can bring in your own snacks without feeling the slightest twinge of guilt that you get when you sneak snacks into indoor movie theaters.
2. Cost
The price of a ticket at an average movie theater ranges from $6-10, depending on if you attend a matinee showing. At Skyview, prices are only $10 per adult, with two kids under 12 getting in free for each adult ticket purchased.
3. Space
We’ve all been there, you get to the theater and realize that you did not get to a seat fast enough and you are stuck, with no armrests, between a family with 3 crying children and a man who smells like cheese. At the drive-in, you don’t have to worry about that. Many people bring their own lawn chairs to sit out in front of their cars; on one occasion I saw a family bring a small couch in the back of their truck to sit on.
4. Noise Level
At the drive-in, you are in control of how loud your movie is. Skyview has its own radio station to tune into, whether it’s in your car or on a stereo that you brought along. It’s your decision on how loud to play the movie.
Skyview is located at 5700 N Belt West, Belleville, IL. It is about an hour away from Greenville, and is a great way to spend a night away from the college and Greenville. It’s also a great way to save money on movies because while the tickets still cost $10 at Skyview, you are paying to see two movies instead of just one. Currently, Skyview is playing Insidious, and Insidious Chapter Two, and Riddick and We’re the Millers. It’s only open on Friday and Saturday nights for now, but if you’re looking to get out of town for a night, definitely look into Skyview Drive-in.
http://www.skyview-drive-in.com/
