Voy 61 Drive-In Theatre

The Voy 61 Drive-In Theatre is a classic American drive-in movie theatre located on Highway 61, about five miles south of Maquoketa, Iowa, roughly 35 miles north of the Quad Cities and 35 miles south of Dubuque. It opened on August 11, 1950, originally owned by Dick Franklin and Walter Allen, and its first screening was the film "Rachel and The Stranger." In 1972, Dennis Voy purchased the theatre — reportedly over a cup of coffee — despite already owning a local radio station and having no prior intention of entering the movie business. The Voy family has operated it ever since, and the venue now brands itself as the Voy 61 Drive-In Theatre. The drive-in shows first-run movies and double features on a giant outdoor screen, with sound broadcast to patrons' car radios. Guests can watch from their vehicles, the back of a pickup truck, or lawn chairs under the stars. The site offers free pre-movie activities including basketball, volleyball, train rides, a swing set, a sandbox, tether balls, and whiffle ball, positioning itself as affordable family entertainment. Admission is priced at $10.00 for adults (ages 13 and over), $5.00 for children ages 4–12, and free for children 3 and under; Tuesdays offer a $5.00 discount admission for everyone. Open captions are shown every Monday. The theatre accepts cash, card, and contactless payments, with a 3% processing fee on electronic payments. Beyond regular screenings, the drive-in offers private rentals and corporate partnership opportunities, including pop-up booths and on-screen advertising, with partnership packages starting at $200 for the 2027 season. The business sells tickets and gift cards through its website. It markets itself with the tagline "Movies Reimagined: Under The Stars" and emphasizes the nostalgic Americana experience of a summer night at the drive-in. As of its official communications, the theatre is celebrating 76 years of continuous operation, making it a long-standing regional entertainment landmark in eastern Iowa.

The Voy 61 Drive-In Theatre opened on August 11, 1950, in Maquoketa, Iowa, with Dick Franklin and Walter Allen as owners. The first film shown on its screen was "Rachel and The Stranger." The drive-in operated as a local outdoor cinema on Highway 61, serving audiences in eastern Iowa between the Quad Cities and Dubuque. In 1972, Dennis Voy purchased the theatre. According to the theatre's own history, the deal was struck over a cup of coffee, and Voy had no intention of entering the movie business at the time — he already owned a local radio station. Friends persuaded him to buy the drive-in, and he never looked back. Under the Voy family's ownership, the theatre continued operating and became known as the Voy 61 Drive-In Theatre. The drive-in has remained in operation for decades, adapting to changes in the movie exhibition industry while preserving the classic drive-in format: a large outdoor screen, sound delivered via car radio, and a concession stand. By the 2020s, the theatre was promoting itself as celebrating 76 years under the stars, offering first-run movies, double features, and classic concession favorites. It also expanded its revenue streams to include private rentals and corporate partnerships, with partnership opportunities for the 2027 season starting at $200, including pop-up booths and on-screen advertising. The theatre sells tickets and gift cards online and maintains a website at 61-driveintheatre.com. It remains a family-oriented entertainment destination in eastern Iowa.

• 2026

  The theatre promotes itself as celebrating 76 years under the stars.

• 1972

  Dennis Voy purchases the drive-in, beginning Voy family ownership.

• 1950

  The drive-in opens on August 11 in Maquoketa, Iowa, owned by Dick Franklin and Walter Allen; first film shown is "Rachel and The Stranger."

• Corporate partnership opportunities for the 2027 season are announced, starting at $200.

Quality, affordable, family entertainment and a nostalgic Americana drive-in experience.

• First-run movie screenings

• Double features

• Concession snacks

• Private rentals

• Corporate partnerships and on-screen advertising

• Gift cards

1. 1Voy 61 Drive In Theatre | Quality, Affordable, Family Entertainment61-driveintheatre.com
2. 2Voy 61 Drive In Theatre History61-driveintheatre.com
3. 3PRIVATE RENTALS | Voy 61 Drive In Theatre61-driveintheatre.com
4. 461 Drive-In - Wikidatawikidata.org