Cape Breton Drive-In celebrates 50th anniversary

The Cape Breton Drive-In celebrates half a century of entertaining movie-goers.

A throwback to a different era, the Cape Breton Drive-In hasn’t changed much since the day it showed its first movie on the big outdoor screen.

“It was July 10, 1975 when we opened,” said Lindsay McKinnon, the drive-in’s new managing owner.

The drive-in theatre – located along Grand Lake Road in Sydney, N.S. – recently marked its 50th anniversary.

“I think it’s a testament to this community’s love for drive-in theatres and the nostalgia that comes with that,” McKinnon said of the milestone.

Over the years, the drive-in has managed to keep a lot of its classic charm, offering a different experience from streaming a movie at home or seeing one in a standard theatre.

“You don’t have to worry about the other audience members on their cell phones or talking or kicking your seat, and if you’re the kind of person who’s doing those things you don’t have to worry about anyone complaining,” said McKinnon with a laugh.

The past 50 years have included some challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic and a few prolonged closures in the years leading up to it. However, MacKinnon says, in this day and age of video streaming, there appears to be a rejuvenated interest in the drive-in experience.

“I think there are somewhere in the vicinity of 50 drive-in theatres still in Canada, there are only two here in Nova Scotia,” McKinnon said.

As for what’s next at the Cape Breton Drive-in, McKinnon says plans include expanding their canteen menu. She also hopes to offer food delivery to vehicles in the not too distant future.

McKinnon adds the cost for a snack and admission for a carload will remain a bit of a throwback, too.

“I mean, I’m not going to say we have 1975 pricing, but we definitely don’t have 2025 pricing,” she said.

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