Montieth Park, at Washington and Water in Albany, is the new home to Movies At Montieth, formerly Movies By Moonlight. According to Albany Downtown Association Executive Director Rod Porsche, the new venue should substantially increase attendance. "Our biggest night for Moonlight, was 300. We expect much bigger crowds," Porsche said.
The movies series is over ten years old, and this year, along with a new venue, comes a new movie screen. The inflatable and very portable screen, measures 20 by 24 feet, and cost $6400. It weighs 200 pounds and goes up in three minutes. Porsche said, "The screen has a three-year lifespan, and we hope to take care of it and sell it later on."
Fundraising comes way of donations, member-based business, and from the events themselves. Because of the nature of this kind of endeavor, volunteers are a huge part of the movie night's continuing success. Volunteers start around five o'clock, by putting up booths, signs, trash cans, and seating. They help sell concessions and t-shirts, and the volunteers are the clean-up crew as well. The volunteer's slow-time is when the movie is playing, making the job convenient.
Movies At Montieth runs on Friday nights through August. Coordinated with local business, the movies offer popcorn and refreshments from The Pix Theater, as well as food from The Flynn Steakhouse and ice cream from Baskin-Robbins. These businesses have donated the profits from sales, to the movie event. "We want to do more of that," Porsche said, "We are committed to community sourcing and exposing local business."
The movies that are shown at Montieth, reflect a family atmosphere and a variety of films. The classics, like Hitchcock and Spielberg, are always shown. Blockbusters like "Frozen," 2013's animated favorite, and Facebook page vote winner, E.T., are revered by Movies At Montieth patrons, and Porsche is aware of that. "We want a mix," he said.
The movie night is loaded with concessions, raffles, contests, and activities for the kids. The event usually starts around 7p.m., with the movie show around 9. "Blankets" areas are well marked and they fill up fast, so getting a spot early, is a good idea. The park has great views from all over, so if you arrive late, viewing will still be accessible.
Whether you are young or old, married with kids or not, Movies At Montieth is a great place to be on an Albany Friday night.
MOVIES AT MONTIETH Schedule:
July 10 "Frozen"
July 18 "North by Northwest"
July 25 "The LEGO Movie"
Aug. 1 "E.T."
Aug. 15 "The Wizard of Oz"
To donate or to volunteer, call the Albany Downtown Association at 541-928-2469, or go to www.albanydowntown.com, and also the "Movies at Montieth" Facebook page.
