Screen on the Green Returns Victorious!

For Washingtonians, Screen on the Green is an institution that provides the only excuse to visit the national mall on a hot, sticky summer night.A few months ago everyone was heartbroken when HBO decided to pull funding for this annual tradition, stealing one more excuse to drink wine from plastic cups and get frisky in public.

Guess what…Screen on the Green cannot be kept down by the man. The Washington Post reported today that Screen on the Green will return to the national mall July 20th with a screening of Close Encounters of the Third Kind. Each Monday night through August 10th, another classic will be shown.

We can all thank the outpouring of anger, sadness and betrayel by our fellow Washingtonians for the return of Screen on the Green. Facebook groups, phone calls, letters, emails and even the involvement of DC commissioners helped change HBO’s mind.

Apparently, Screen on the Green costs hundreds of thousands of dollars to host every year. In the midst of a recession, HBO thought no one would notice if it shaved some expenses off the budget by cutting the program. They were very wrong. Now, HBO is partnering with Comcast and the Trust for the National Mall to make sure the show goes on.

Back when we though Screen on the Green was dead, we put up a post about alternative outdoor movie opportunities in DC. Those are still great options. But if you get a chance, try to make it out to Screen on the Green. There is nothing like watching a movie with friends between the U.S. Capitol and the Washington Monument.

Read the full Post story on their website.

Photo Credit: Flickr CC User Mike McCaffrey