Movies on the Lawn

Tonight marks the beginning of the 2012 HBO Bryant Park Summer Film Festival!! Every Monday until August 20, New Yorkers gather together to watch a classic film with thousands of their closest strangers. Anticipated by many, it's one of the most popular outdoor film spots of the summer. 

Don't like this year's movie selection? Don't live near Bryant Park? Don't worry! A different movie series exists in practically every neighborhood. The City of New York Parks and Recreation site is kind enough to post all of the schedules for your convenience and viewing pleasure. 

Example of an alternate movie series in Brooklyn Bridge Park

To keep things simple, I'll just go in depth on Bryant Park. The process varies by park, but many aspects of the experience are quite similar from park to park.


Rule #1: Arrive EARLY. Forget all you know about being fashionably late. In this situation, 
early = on time. When I say "early," I mean it. Bryant Park security allows movie-goers to form a border around the grass at 4pm. These people, armed with blankets and picnic fare line up at the very edge of the grass for the next hour. At 5pm exactly park security says "GO!" and the stampede begins. People scramble onto the grass, throw down their blankets and spread out as much as possible while they wait for their friends and family to sneak out of work and join them. 


Even if you don't intend to watch the movie, I highly recommend stopping by to observe the madness. The chaos begins and ends in about 90 seconds, and it is AMAZING!


Rule #2: Don't forget the food, drink, and games. You will wait hours for this classic movie to start. Movies begin at sunset - typically between 8 and 9pm, but they are almost always late. If anything, go overboard on the food and drink. There are few things worse than being hungry and trapped in a field of people who brought better munchies than you. 


Rule #3: Mark your territory. If you think your friends will have an easy time finding your blanket in the sea of movie-goers, think again. Whether it's a silly hat or balloons, do it. You'll be glad you did, and so will your friends. Just make sure you can take it down during the movie. 


Aside from the crazy mad dash in the beginning, my second-favorite part is at the start of the show. The audience (at least all the cool people) rises, and as the video's opening music plays, they all jump up and down or dance as they clap in time. The only thing better than sharing a movie with a zillion strangers is sharing an impromptu dance party.


So what are you waiting for?! It's almost time to line up and wait! :D Grab your blanket, food and drinks, and head on over to Bryant Park for a great New York experience. Look at it this way: It's free, so what do you have to lose?

Gotta love an ice-cold drink on a hot NYC summer day!