Outdoor movie nights and musical performances are summer staples in many towns, and even parks and recreation departments with small budgets and staffs can take part in the fun.
Here are some ideas for having the best movie or music night possible:
1. Pick a location that makes sense
Just like with fun runs and races, a great location can make or break your music or movie night. Don’t pick a spot next to a busy road or railroad tracks, make sure there is enough parking, and don’t expect people not to need a restroom nearby.
2. Have food
A night at the movies isn’t really complete without a snack, so partner with area restaurants, food trucks or even a team or group that’s doing a fundraiser to offer attendees food and drinks during the night.
A night at the movies isn’t really complete without a snack, so partner with area restaurants, food trucks or even a team or group that’s doing a fundraiser to offer attendees food and drinks during the night.
3. Do something different
Do you show a lot of children’s movies? Why not play off the theme of the movie. The Los Altos Recreation Department found great success by hosting a viewing of Finding Nemo at the public pool.
Do you show a lot of children’s movies? Why not play off the theme of the movie. The Los Altos Recreation Department found great success by hosting a viewing of Finding Nemo at the public pool.
4. Bring in partners
Get local businesses to sponsor individual events or the entire season in exchange for advertising. This way, people can go for free and the businesses cross-promote your event.
5. Have planned activities
Have one of your Zumba instructors lead an intermission dance session and give attendees a glimpse of your other programming, or partner with the area farmers or artisans market so one event flows right into the other.
Have one of your Zumba instructors lead an intermission dance session and give attendees a glimpse of your other programming, or partner with the area farmers or artisans market so one event flows right into the other.
6. Pick a theme you can use the entire season
Having a theme people can get and stay excited about means bigger crowds for your events. Whether it’s Classics, Movies of the 80’s, Hair Metal Cover Bands or whatever else you choose, make sure you have enough movies or bands to fill an entire season so people know what to expect and you don’t fail to deliver.
Having a theme people can get and stay excited about means bigger crowds for your events. Whether it’s Classics, Movies of the 80’s, Hair Metal Cover Bands or whatever else you choose, make sure you have enough movies or bands to fill an entire season so people know what to expect and you don’t fail to deliver.
7. Give the people what they want
These events are meant to be fun and casual, so a fun and casual approach can be taken when it comes to market research, too. Have attendees fill out short surveys, do a poll on Facebook and ask what theme community members would like to see next year, or even hold a contest to have the community pick the
theme are great ways to get people engaged and ensure you’re delivering to them events they’ll enjoy.
These events are meant to be fun and casual, so a fun and casual approach can be taken when it comes to market research, too. Have attendees fill out short surveys, do a poll on Facebook and ask what theme community members would like to see next year, or even hold a contest to have the community pick the
theme are great ways to get people engaged and ensure you’re delivering to them events they’ll enjoy.
