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If Union Square looks a little greener than usual tonight, don’t panic: New York is apparently being invaded by ogres.
A small army of Shreks is expected to descend on Union Square Park tonight for an extremely serious test of ogre supremacy, followed by a free outdoor screening of the 2001 animated classic Shrek. The swampy festivities begin at 7:30 pm at the Pavilion steps in the park’s North Plaza, with the movie starting at 8:15 pm.
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The main event before the film is a Shrek look-alike contest. Organizers are encouraging contestants to arrive with their “best Shrek face” and plenty of ogre attitude. Anyone can come dressed as a character from the movie—so expect at least a few Princess Fionas, Lord Farquaads and aggressively enthusiastic Donkeys wandering around Union Square—but only Shrek look-alikes are eligible to compete in the contest itself. Serious bragging rights are on the line.
Once New York’s fairest ogre has been crowned, the night will roll straight into a free screening of Shrek as part of NYC Parks’ Movies Under the Stars series, presented with the Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment. The 2001 movie, which somehow remains just as quotable 25 years later, follows Shrek as his peaceful swamp is overrun by displaced fairy-tale characters and he strikes a deal with the diminutive Lord Farquaad to regain his home.
The screening is scheduled to run from 8:15pm to 10:45pm and is free and open to the public. Registration is available through NYC Parks and attendees should bring a blanket or something else suitable for sprawling out in the park. As with all outdoor movies, tonight’s gathering is weather-dependent; NYC Parks says a cancellation caused by heavy rain or extreme weather will be announced before the screening.
Otherwise, start practicing that roar. For one night only, Union Square belongs to the ogres.