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• Regular Adult: $6.25 • Children Ages 5-11: $1 • Tuesday Special: $4.25 |
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El Rancho Drive-in offers blast from the past
Traditional family fun can be found at low prices this summer
Lizzie Urie
The El Rancho Drive-in theater in Sparks has been successfully entertaining audiences with action-packed movies and nostalgia for almost 60 years. With cheap admission and family-friendly amusement, the drive-in is a great summer alternative to regular movie theaters.
Out of the 500 remaining drive-in theaters in the United States, the El Rancho Drive-in, opened in 1950, is one of the last two operating in Nevada. The other Nevada drive-in can be found in Las Vegas, and it opened in 1966 during the nationwide heyday of drive-ins. The El Rancho is part of the West Wind Drive-In movie chain, which is the largest drive-in chain in the U.S. with locations throughout California, Arizona and Nevada. The El Rancho is the chain's only drive-in that is not open year round, as it usually operates from April through September, or as weather determines.
The El Rancho has double features every night on each of its four screens, and all shows are first-run movies. Seeing two movies for less than the price of one at a regular theater is a great summer deal. Another fun element of the drive-in is the full concession stand, which offers everything from popcorn and candy to churros, nachos and ice cream.
Showtimes begin around 8:55 p.m., but the gates usually open about one hour prior, so be sure to get there early to find a good parking spot. The entire complex has a capacity of about 560 cars, but space fills fast as families spread out on their claimed territory. The audio for the movies is provided through car or portable radios by multi-channel FM broadcasting. And just in case, employees will jump-start any cars whose batteries have died from radio usage.
The first movie of the double features is usually more family-oriented, while the second movie tends to be rated PG-13 or R. Set up a comfortable place in the car for the kids to rest; that way the whole family can go and stay for both movies.
Schedules vary as new movies are transitioned into running, so check fandango.com or call (775) 358-6920 for showtimes. Admission for adults is $6.25 regularly or $4.25 on Tuesday nights, with children ages 5-11 for $1.
On weekends, regional vendors come to the El Rancho Drive-in complex to sell unique and interesting items at the Flea Market, also a part of the West Wind chain since 2000. The market, or Swap Meet, attracts around 200 different dealers throughout the year selling antiques, new and used merchandise, and fresh produce. It is open on Saturdays and Sundays year round from 6 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., with an admission price of 50 cents a person.
The El Rancho Drive-in and Flea Market is located at 555 El Rancho Dr., Sparks, NV 89431, just north of I-80 and east of 395.
Out of the 500 remaining drive-in theaters in the United States, the El Rancho Drive-in, opened in 1950, is one of the last two operating in Nevada. The other Nevada drive-in can be found in Las Vegas, and it opened in 1966 during the nationwide heyday of drive-ins. The El Rancho is part of the West Wind Drive-In movie chain, which is the largest drive-in chain in the U.S. with locations throughout California, Arizona and Nevada. The El Rancho is the chain's only drive-in that is not open year round, as it usually operates from April through September, or as weather determines.
The El Rancho has double features every night on each of its four screens, and all shows are first-run movies. Seeing two movies for less than the price of one at a regular theater is a great summer deal. Another fun element of the drive-in is the full concession stand, which offers everything from popcorn and candy to churros, nachos and ice cream.
Showtimes begin around 8:55 p.m., but the gates usually open about one hour prior, so be sure to get there early to find a good parking spot. The entire complex has a capacity of about 560 cars, but space fills fast as families spread out on their claimed territory. The audio for the movies is provided through car or portable radios by multi-channel FM broadcasting. And just in case, employees will jump-start any cars whose batteries have died from radio usage.
The first movie of the double features is usually more family-oriented, while the second movie tends to be rated PG-13 or R. Set up a comfortable place in the car for the kids to rest; that way the whole family can go and stay for both movies.
Schedules vary as new movies are transitioned into running, so check fandango.com or call (775) 358-6920 for showtimes. Admission for adults is $6.25 regularly or $4.25 on Tuesday nights, with children ages 5-11 for $1.
On weekends, regional vendors come to the El Rancho Drive-in complex to sell unique and interesting items at the Flea Market, also a part of the West Wind chain since 2000. The market, or Swap Meet, attracts around 200 different dealers throughout the year selling antiques, new and used merchandise, and fresh produce. It is open on Saturdays and Sundays year round from 6 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., with an admission price of 50 cents a person.
The El Rancho Drive-in and Flea Market is located at 555 El Rancho Dr., Sparks, NV 89431, just north of I-80 and east of 395.
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