Vali-Hi Drive-In
11260 Hudson Boulevard N,
Lake Elmo,
MN
55042
11260 Hudson Boulevard N,
Lake Elmo,
MN
55042
4 people
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The Vali-Hi Opened In 1966 According To Google.
I can’t find anything anywhere on the net that indicates when the Vali Hi opened. A 2013 article in the Star-Tribune said that (then-?) owner Bob O'Neill had operated the projector “(p)retty much every summer night since 1984”.
It’s not in the 1955-56 Theatre Catalog Minneapolis territory, which would have surely noticed it in its back yard.
The 1963 IMPA doesn’t have it. The 1969-76 (at least) IMPAs list the Vali Hi, capacity 750, in nearby St. Paul. The 1982 IMPA had corrected(?) the location to Lake Elmo, owner “Plitt”, capacity 500. And sure enough, “R O'Neill” had taken over as owner in the 1984 IMPA.
In short, the Vali Hi probably opened in the mid-1960s.
I love going to this drive-in! We like to arrive early, grill hotdogs, hamburgers or whatever. We play misc. out-door games ie: toss a frisbee etc. and have some good-old-fashioned fun. It is nice take a break from modern technology ie: (cell phones etc.) and.enjoy spending time with friends and/or family! Without a doubt, I’d recommend to others who enjoy the outdoors on a warm summer night!!! :–)
If its a warm night, and you have a decent radio or stereo system, not a bad way to go. 7.75 buys access to all 3 movies in a night if you choose (although you can’t leave the property and come back). They tune the sounds via a dead FM frequency hence the need to use your car radio or some other radio. I wouldn’t make this place a habit because you have to get comfy, run up your battery, you miss details like what the text message the person in the movie got said because you are clear across the other end of the lot, but is cool to do once and say you did it.