Editor’s note: the following press release was provided by Amy Cole, Director of Communications and Outreach at The Picture House.

The Picture House Regional Film Center’s highly-popular Picnic in the Park fundraiser is back for its seventh year on Saturday, September 15 from 6:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. The end-of-summer soiree will kick-off in the beautifully renovated 1921 Picture House with cocktails, popcorn, and an advance screening of one of the most buzzed-about movies of the fall, Bel Canto, followed by a Q&A with the director Paul Weitz. After the film and discussion, guests will head to the park directly across the street where they will enjoy a gourmet picnic dinner, followed by dancing under the stars.

“Year after year we look forward to this hallmark return-from-summer event that so many from Pelham and the surrounding communities look forward to. Picnic closes out the summer and ushers in the start of the school year—and a new season of movies and events at TPH,” said Laura deBuys, Executive Director and President of The Picture House. “We’re extremely grateful to Owen Berkowitz and Carol Marrone of the Berkowitz/Marrone Team at Douglas Elliman Real Estate for their sponsorship of the evening, as well as to Director Level sponsors Bischoff & Bischoff LLP and McClellan Sotheby’s International Realty, and our Picnic Box sponsor Vincents Fine Jewelry.” Each year we are inspired by our tireless committee and all of our guests for their commitment to supporting Picnic and increasing the essential support it provides for our education programs, community-focused films, and more.”

For the third year in a row, a small but highly-curated online auction will be open for guests and for those who cannot attend the event. Items that will be available for bidding include two round-trip Jet Blue tickets anywhere the airline flies, an exquisite piece of jewelry from Pelham’s chic jewelry boutique, Vincents Fine Jewelry, a Major League Soccer package, as well as a named seat in The Picture House, complimentary family movie passes for one year (includes The Picture House’s award-winning popcorn!), and more.

The 2018 Picnic in the Park event committee is co-chaired by Renee Gallagher and Picture House Board member Kelly Brown and includes Jennifer Anderson, Linda Bethea, Cori Blake, Amy Cole, Chelsea Darcangelo, Jessica DeDomenico, Ashley Dolan, Michaela Evans, Mary Hefner, Zoe Henriquez, Kate Kerr, Liam O’Neill, Gretchen Pursel, Julie Reid, Kristen Roberts, Merrell Quintin, and Kristen Scarlett.

Picnic in the Park tickets start at $145/person until August 15th when the base ticket price increases to $160/person. Tickets are available to purchase at http://www.thepicturehouse.org/picnic-in-the-park-2018/  Various sponsorship levels are available and there is still time for businesses and individuals to support the event by purchasing an ad in the ‘Picnic in the Park’ virtual journal which will be shown on-screen prior to the film and featured on The Picture House website.