Last lap at the Beacon: Final car show set as iconic drive-in changes hands

One final cruise-in will mark the end of an era as the historic Beacon Drive-In Theatre prepares to close after more than 70 years in operation.

A “Last Lap at the Beacon” car show is scheduled for Saturday, March 28, beginning at 3 p.m. and running until dusk at the longtime location along South Division Street. The event will welcome vintage cars, muscle cars, hot rods, classics, and custom builds for one final gathering beneath the iconic screen.

The first 200 registered vehicles can enter for a $25 fee, which includes a free T-shirt and commemorative photo plaque.

The sendoff event follows the recent sale of the property to Communication Federal Credit Union, which plans to build a new bank at the site. According to Thomas Lay, Realtors, the property sold for $2.2 million after months of negotiations.

Established in 1950, the Beacon Drive-In became a staple of life in Guthrie and a symbol of classic Americana. For generations, families, friends, and couples gathered under the Oklahoma sky to watch films from their cars, lawn chairs, and pickup beds.

Owned and operated by the Powell family for decades, the drive-in was known for its nostalgic charm—from its long-standing snack bar to its vintage projection equipment, some of which dated back to the 1940s. The theater’s ability to preserve a sense of timelessness helped it endure while many other drive-ins faded away.

For many in the community, the final car show will serve as both a celebration and a farewell—a chance to relive memories and say goodbye to a place that brought generations together.

With its closure, the site at 2404 S. Division Street will transition into a new chapter, as Communication Federal Credit Union moves forward with plans for redevelopment, bringing an end to one of Guthrie’s most cherished landmarks.