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Lawn chair movies are perfect plan
Published Wednesday, June 11, 2008
A lawn chair isn’t exactly like the passenger seat of a 1957 Thunderbird, but the atmosphere was still something like a drive-in Saturday in downtown Natchez.
The Natchez Downtown Development Association hosted an outdoor movie night on Commerce Street, projecting “Casablanca” in grand fashion. Movie-goers either brought their own lawn chairs or rented one for $1. NDDA sold handheld fans to keep folks cool and raise some funds.
And the 30-foot tall images of Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman certainly made downtown Natchez a place of intrigue Saturday.
Intrigue is exactly what NDDA is after, and it looks like they are well on their way to getting it.
It’s time to attract more people to our gorgeous downtown. It’s time to make them interested.
NDDA has sponsored several recent events that prove the organization is working to move downtown forward. First Fridays each month have spotlighted downtown businesses with special offers and increased interest. Saturday sidewalk sales attract the savvy shopper. And discounts at downtown shops on Sunday afternoons have been targeted just at local residents.
Our downtown is our heart, and it’s time we promoted it not only among our tourists, but among our locals.
NDDA is doing the work, are you enjoying the popcorn?
Comments
Posted by Peace007 (anonymous) on June 11, 2008 at 12:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I don't recall reading about that being advertised.
Posted by Choctaw (anonymous) on June 11, 2008 at 2:12 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I don't either Peace! I would loved to have seen “Casablanca” at a movie setting like we used to when we were kids!
Are they planning to have more movies like that in the future? I'd like to take my hubby and see one!
Posted by blackwood (anonymous) on June 11, 2008 at 4:04 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Its my understanding that this will be a regular monthly event with cheese/wine/other on Friday evenings of the first Fridays and these street movies on the following Saturday evenings. If I am incorrect, someone please set the record straight. I have no idea how this will work around the 4th and 5th of July. The Downtown Development Association is coming up (and following through) with some great ideas for our downtown.
Marc Blackwood
Posted by OldGrandDad (anonymous) on June 11, 2008 at 5:12 a.m. (Suggest removal)
If you have a small advertising budget, I can't think of a better way to advertise than what the NDDA did - Put on a great old movie, invite the Democrat and receive mentions of it in the paper. That and the word-of-mouth advertising will get the word out for the next movie they show. Saturday after the first Friday, right?
Posted by clambert58 (anonymous) on June 11, 2008 at 8:10 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Yes - we will be showing a movie Saturday, July 5th, the night after our First Friday Art Walk on July 4th. Fun and refreshments will follow the Art Wwalk, which is from 5 to 8 pm - out at the bluff - and spectacular fireworks on the river will be at dark! And what's the movie next month? Well - laws prevent me from naming it - but let's just say that it's named for the Fourth of July - our celebration of INDEPENDENCE. It's an action - adventure - science-fiction - fantasy film starring Will Smith, Jeff Goldblum, Judd Hirsch, Bill Pullman, and Margaret Colin - and it's about aliens coming to take over the earth. "We will not vanish without a fight! We're going to live on! We're giong to survive! Today we celebrate our independence day!" So - are you up for this? On the big screen - under the stars! I'm totally psyched and hope everyone else will be, too! Hope to see you all there! We'll have big fans out to help cool things off - the streets will be hosed down beforehand - and we're taking care of any mosquito problem as well. So - no worries! Come out with the entire family and enjoy this free entertainment on the 100 block of South Commerce - in front of the old Institute - where the Historic Natchec Foundation is housed (and Natchez Downtown Development Association).
Posted by blackwood (anonymous) on June 11, 2008 at 9:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)
clambert58, Thanks for the information. We'll be there and try to bring others.
Marc
Posted by Peace007 (anonymous) on June 11, 2008 at 2:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)
What does NDDA stand for? Who are they?
Posted by BurningStar (anonymous) on June 11, 2008 at 4:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)
There's LOTS of little events that go on here that I don't know about until after they're over with.
Not everyone reads the paper... and not everyone drives through downtown... So if people want to advertise stuff, they need to do better than that!
Posted by OldGrandDad (anonymous) on June 11, 2008 at 6:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Peace007, The NDDA is the Natchez Downtown Development Association. Here's a site that lists "who" they are.
http://www.natchezdowntown.blogspot.com/...
BurningStar, I understand that you personally may have tons of money to spend on advertising but other people have to do what they can with what they have. As I said above, this really was advertised well in the way it was done because now, after spending very little ad money, you and the rest of the town know about it. Sure, you missed the first movie, but all the rest are available to you if you remember what day of the month it falls on.
Posted by BurningStar (anonymous) on June 13, 2008 at 2:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Old Grandad, I'm glad you understand that I personally have tons of money to spend on advertising...
Posted by OldGrandDad (anonymous) on June 13, 2008 at 8:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Ok. Maybe I should not have said it like that. But, my point is - How much money should an organization be expected to spend in order to get people to attend a free movie? I think the manner in which they did it was probably an excellent way to do it. I missed the movie too. I'll remember the next one - July 5. The Saturday evening after the first Friday of the month. Lawn chairs for rent or bring your own.
Posted by Natchez3 (anonymous) on June 14, 2008 at 10:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)
BurningStar....who are you kidding.
Someone that has TONS of money should donate money to the cause instead of complain. Give me a break-you are full of it!
Posted by Negotiator (anonymous) on June 18, 2008 at 10:13 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Great job NDDA.
Keep up the good work. The word will get out.
Posted by Kaintuck (anonymous) on June 19, 2008 at 10:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Lawn chair movies are a great, nostalgic idea. The Downtown Development Association should be commended for doing this. What a wonderful movie, and fun way to celebrate our upcoming Independence Day!
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