Vali-Hi Drive-In is a portal to a bygone era, a respite from the fast pace of modern life, a treasure of the Twin Cities, and an irreplaceable experience to the many people that have frequented it. Today that legacy is endangered. After more than a half century of memories and entertainment Vali-Hi has may have met its end. The owner has not spoken publicly, however the theater did not open for the 2022 season and is now listed as Permanently Closed on Google, leading many to speculate the imminent sale of the property to develop new business facilities. Our community may yet have a chance to save it, but we need to speak loudly and take action now!

What Vali-Hi Means to Us

Vali-Hi Drive-In means so much more than entertainment to our family. At Val-Hi, time slows, and the busyness of daily life feels distant. There is nothing quite like arriving to a movie hours early to grill, play frisbee, and make new friends. In the midst of a divided world, the community is warm, welcoming, and generous, offering an environment where strangers welcome you to join them for dinner. Vali-Hi is full of memories and the promises of memories to be made. It is where my now wife and I first held hands and to this day our favorite date spot. We brought our puppy, Roxy, there her first summer and she really clicked with the other moviegoers. As my wife and I welcome our first child into the world, we imagine him as a teenager at the drive in with his friends. Help us give him that opportunity.

It is not Too Late!

Our community may yet have time to save Vali-Hi! According to recentlyheard.com, "Vali-Hi is located in an area of Lake Elmo where a moratorium has been placed on new plats because of concerns about the city’s water supply." This moratorium is in effect until April 2023 and "As long as the moratorium is in place, the city could not entertain any application for development at the site."

Our Petition

We petition the city of Lake Elmo to deny any applications to develop on the site of Vali-Hi and we petition the owner, Robert O’Neil, to work with the 10,000+ strong fans of the Facebook Page to find ways to staff and finance the continuation of the theater or sell the property to individuals that will carry on its enduring legacy. 

Please add your signature and a story of what Vali-Hi means to you today. Make your voice heard!

Photo credit: Start Tribune