It’s late summer and something’s up. Just look out your front door around dusk in Old Town Fort Collins. Bikes of all styles, shapes and colors are rolling by - all pointed in the same direction. There are small and large packs of them with lights blinking and bells ringing. Some riders have blankets strapped to their backs. Others are pulling trailers filled with lawn chairs.

If you join in, you will end up at New Belgium Brewery in front of a huge (inflatable) outdoor movie screen. Every Thursday night from mid-August to late September, a classically hilarious movie fills the evening sky for these crowds in search of good, clean fun. Have a beer and a brat then shout out your favorite line from Harold and Maude, Fargo, Zoolander, and more.

It’s the simplicity of it all that makes it work. No other experience quite compares to watching a great movie, on a beautiful night, with lots of people that dig the same thing. Replacing soulless commercialism with a sincere sense of community makes us feel like we are among friends.