Organizers are hoping a for a repeat success at the second annual "A Midsummer Night's Picnic," the Friday event at Delaware Park that benefits the Neil E. Garvey Foundation for the Arts.
"It was great," said Dan Garvey, when asked about the 2012 picnic that honored his brother Neil, who passed away in February of that year.
"I don't mean to sound morbid or anything, but Neil would have been proud that we'd played up the fact that he had just passed away...because people were coming out like crazy to support it," said Dan Garvey, laughing at the recollection.
"This year, it's truly going to be a picnic. We're going to have games. We're going to have hot dogs and hamburgers and pulled pork sandwiches. Timmy Herzog from Flying Bison is giving us his draft beer. I've got these guys from the local wineries that are coming through."
"It's been wonderful to support it in this way, but we've had the time to do it. So, I'm just thrilled that people are going to be able to come out and enjoy themselves without having to dish everything out. We didn't want this to be an exclusive club.We want everyone to know about it, and everyone, particularly the acting community, to support it."
"A Midsummer's Night Picnic" runs from 5 until 7 this Friday, atop Shakespeare Hill in Delaware Park, just before "Measure for Measure," the current production of Shakespeare at Delaware Park, the theater company for which Neil Garvey played a key role over the years as both an actor and supporter.
"What a review they got for 'Measure for Measure!'" Dan Garvey said.
"Bring your friends. You can make a big party out of it. Then, you can go sit on the hill and enjoy one fantastic production afterwards. That's the design. We're going to have a nice party beforehand. Relax. Enjoy yourself. Happy hour. Picnic stuff. Then go down and enjoy Shakespeare. If someone doesn't know Neil and would like to get to know him, this is the perfect way to do it."
More information is available at www.neilegarveyfoundation.com.
