This week in our “Frozen In Time” series we caught a movie under the stars in Litchfield. Starlite Drive-In opened in the 1950s. At the time it was one of nearly 100 outdoor theaters in Minnesota. The theater closed down in the 1970s.

It was Tim Eiler‘s childhood dream to own a theater. When the Starlite was put up for sale in 1998 he bought it. Eiler has worked in the theater business since 1976. He started out as an usher working for his local movie theater. He began fixing projectors and working on sound systems.

The Starlite Drive-In has five screens that each play double features and a concession stand. Families bring their lawn chairs and blankets out for a few movies under the stars each weekend through the end of August. You can either listen to the movie from the speakers outside or you can stay in your car listen through your radio.They sell a variety of concessions at the snack bar.

Family movies and comedies typically draw a bigger crowd but their biggest ticket selling movie ever was Titanic. The James Cameron film brought in over 1,000 people on opening night.

The Starlite Drive-In is open weekends and some weekdays through August.

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