A Family Celebration to Mark our 25th Anniversary

What happens when you combine a beloved movie musical, a community of joyful moviegoers, and a little bit of circus magic? You get an unforgettable afternoon.

As part of the Jacob Burns Film Center’s 25th Anniversary celebration, we welcomed audiences for a sing-along screening of The Greatest Showman, followed by our very first Family Fun Day Celebration of this scale. Designed as a thank-you to our community and a celebration of the families who have made the Burns a gathering place for generations, the event transformed Take 3 Wine Bar & Café into a lively festival filled with laughter, music, and connection.

Following the film, guests stepped into an afternoon of family-friendly activities, including face painting, balloon twisting, cotton candy, ice cream, juggling lessons, a photo booth, and plenty of surprises. Performers from Westchester Circus Arts added to the excitement, with a stilt walker greeting families as they arrived and a breathtaking aerialist performance delighting audiences throughout the celebration.

As a special keepsake, every guest received a commemorative souvenir ticket created exclusively for the event, marking both the occasion and the Burns’ 25th Anniversary.

Most importantly, the afternoon was a joyful reminder of what makes the Burns so special. Families, friends, grandparents, neighbors, and first-time visitors gathered not just to watch a film, but to celebrate together. Children laughed as they met performers, parents captured memories at the photo booth, and movie lovers of all ages sang along to favorite songs from The Greatest Showman. It was a beautiful example of the power of cinema to bring people together and create lasting memories beyond the screen.

As we continue celebrating 25 years of the Jacob Burns Film Center, we’re grateful to everyone who joined us and helped make this first-ever Family Fun Day such a success. We also extend our sincere thanks to Penny Lick Ice Cream, Cotton Candy Time, My Balloon Guy, Bryant Park Jugglers, Westchester Circus Arts, and the many staff members and volunteers whose creativity and enthusiasm made the day possible.

If this celebration was any indication, we can’t wait to create more opportunities for our community to come together, celebrate, and experience the joy of cinema in new and unexpected ways.

Photos by Ed Cody