This profile is in active compilation — some details are awaiting a cited source.

In Theatre** — a family-operated outdoor movie theatre on Merriam Lane in Kansas City, Kansas, and one of the last operating drive-ins in the metro. Bought in 1993 by Samuel Wesley “Wes” Neal, who had started there in the early 1950s as a teenage ramp attendant; run today by his grandson Brian Neal and Brian’s wife Clarissa. Ran its 76th season in 2026.

| Website | https://www.facebook.com/Boulevard.Drive.In/ (primary social; no first-party domain confirmed) || | Phone | | not captured |

Description

The Boulevard Drive-In is an outdoor theatre on Merriam Lane in Kansas City, Kansas, operating a seasonal schedule that typically opens in early spring. For the 2026 season the theatre announced an opening weekend of April 3 and April 4, weather permitting, billed as its 76th season, with the new Super Mario Galaxy Movie as the opening feature.1

It is among the small number of drive-in theatres still operating in the Kansas City metro, and has outlasted the mid-century drive-in circuit that once surrounded the city. The theatre’s primary public channel is its Facebook page, where seasonal schedules and closures are posted.2

Ownership and history

Samuel Wesley “Wes” Neal first worked at the Boulevard in the early 1950s as a “ramp boy” — doing maintenance and directing cars with a flashlight — for three dollars a night, shortly after moving to Kansas City from Wardell, Missouri, for a job with a pharmaceutical company. He held both jobs simultaneously for more than thirty years.3

Neal purchased the theatre in 1993 and operated it until his death on September 18, 2024, at age 96.34 His wife Maizie died in 2015.3

His grandson Brian Neal and Brian’s wife Clarissa began learning the management side in 2008 and took over day-to-day operations as Wes Neal stepped back — though he continued to watch the lot by security camera from his apartment.3 Press coverage after his death described Brian Neal as having taken the theatre over.3

The theatre’s opening is generally dated to around 1950 — reported as having opened with The Lady Takes a Sailor — though the 76th-season billing in 2026 implies a first season of 1951. ****

Independence: No chain or circuit parent identified; owned and operated by the Neal family, resident in the metro.

Status: pending. The theatre operates a concession stand; no first-party menu or price list has been captured. Do not source concession prices from aggregators.

Sources

See also

Footnotes

  1. FOX4 Kansas City — “Boulevard Drive-In announces opening weekend for 2026 season.” — asserts: 76th season in 2026; opening weekend April 3–4, 2026, weather permitting; opening feature Super Mario Galaxy Movie; theatre actively operating. ↩

  2. Boulevard Drive-In Theatre — Facebook page (primary social presence) — asserts: active first-party channel for the business in Kansas City, Kansas. ↩

  3. KCUR — “Wes Neal, who brought decades of drive-in movies to Kansas City, Kansas, dies at 96,” September 28, 2024 — asserts: theatre located on Merriam Lane, Kansas City, Kansas; Neal started early 1950s as ramp boy at $3 a night; worked two jobs 30+ years; purchased the theatre in 1993; died September 18, 2024, age 96; wife Maizie died 2015; grandson Brian and wife Clarissa began learning management in 2008 and took over operations. ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5

  4. FOX4 Kansas City — “Boulevard Drive-In announce passing of longtime owner Wes Neal.” — asserts: Wes Neal identified as longtime owner; death announced by the business. ↩

See also

Categories

On the record — ks.city/registry/boulevard-drive-in-theatre · record updated 2026-08-10