By ALIN HETT
Hays Post
WAKEENEY—The Trego Sky View Drive-In in WaKeeney is operating on a limited summer schedule this year, but organizer Lynelle Shubert said the long-term vision for the project reaches far beyond a few movie nights in a field.
The nonprofit, volunteer-run drive-in relies on borrowed projection and sound equipment while fundraising efforts continue for permanent upgrades. Shubert said every dollar earned this summer is being reinvested directly back into the project.
The drive-in is using equipment from Rocking Thunder DJ Service out of Hoxie, which Shubert said has allowed the theater to remain operational while organizers work toward securing their own system. Because of those limitations, only four movies were scheduled for the summer season.
Despite the challenges, Shubert said plans are already in place to continue expanding the site into a permanent regional attraction.
Future upgrades include purchasing a projector and sound system, adding self-contained restroom trailers, gravel drives, playground equipment and eventually a concession stand.
Shubert said organizers are also considering additional fall programming once permanent equipment becomes available. Last year, the drive-in hosted seasonal films including “Hocus Pocus” and “Little Shop of Horrors.”
“In October you can do a double feature without being out till two in the morning,” Shubert said.
The project has been years in the making. Shubert said the original idea for a drive-in in WaKeeney began more than a decade ago after hosting a community movie night in the park.
The idea resurfaced during the COVID-19 pandemic before becoming a serious development project in 2021.
“This has been my passion project,” she said.
Shubert said one of the biggest obstacles was simply getting blueprints approved for the screen structure.
“It took us two and a half years to get blueprints for the screen,” Shubert said. “Nobody wanted to take liability for the structural capacity of a screen.”
Kansas Tourism funding eventually helped organizers purchase the poles needed to construct the screen. Since then, the project has continued growing through grants, donations and volunteer support.
Shubert said organizers are continuing to apply for grants while holding movie fundraisers throughout the summer.
Even with operational hurdles, Shubert said the drive-in has already proven to be a regional draw for northwest Kansas.
Organizers collect zip code information from patrons and have seen visitors travel from counties including Ellis, Ness, Gove, Sherman and Trego. Some guests have even traveled from out of state.
“This really goes beyond WaKeeney,” Shubert said. “This is about northwest Kansas.”
She said the project represents the importance of regional cooperation among rural communities.
“We in small communities know that we have to think regionally,” Shubert said. “If we don't join forces together, none of us can do these things by ourselves.”
The drive-in has also become popular with audiences of all ages. While older generations remember traditional drive-in theaters, Shubert said younger audiences have embraced the outdoor movie experience as something unique for rural Kansas.
“The teenagers are loving this,” she said. “They're even bringing their lawn chairs.”
For Shubert, the appeal of a drive-in comes from more than nostalgia.
“It's an experience,” she said. “You're getting that big screen experience again, but you can still come in your pajamas and your slippers and bring your blanket and your pillow.”
Unlike traditional theaters, the Trego Sky View Drive-In operates without a permanent concession stand. Community groups instead help provide food during movie nights while organizers continue building the site piece by piece.
“This drive-in was never built to be a business,” Shubert said. “We are a nonprofit foundation.”
Instead, Shubert hopes future profits from the drive-in can eventually support other local organizations through grants plus community projects.
“The plan is that when Trego Sky View Foundation begins making money, we recycle that money back into our community,” Shubert said.
The entire operation is run by volunteers, with no staff members receiving paychecks.
Upcoming movies at the drive-in include “Jurassic World Rebirth” on July 24 and “How to Train Your Dragon” on Aug. 7.
Admission is $10 for ages 13 and older, $5 for children ages 5 through 12, while children younger than 5 are admitted free.