A crowd waits for "Star Trek" to screen Sunday at Top of the Park, the free outdoor component of the Ann Arbor Summer Festival.

Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com

As the sun set on Father’s Day, a large crowd of people spread themselves around Ingalls Mall to watch "Star Trek," the first of 13 late night outdoor movies playing at the Ann Arbor Summer Festival’s free Top of the Park music and movies series.

This year’s movie lineup gives you plenty of chances to enjoy old and new classics at a social, relaxed outdoor venue that many of Sunday’s attendees enjoyed just as much (or more) than the movie itself. Upcoming favorites range from time-tested classics like "Casablanca" (June 30), "Plan 9 from Outer Space" (July 1) and "Raiders of the Lost Ark" (July 4) to new classics like "Sherlock Holmes" (June 27), "Avatar" (June 29) and "Fantastic Mr. Fox" (July 8) and more. "The Princess Bride" screens tonight (Tuesday). Screenings are held at 10 p.m. Sundays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays on a screen outside the University of Michigan Rackham Building, on East Washington Street at Ingalls Mall.

Sunday’s attendees were generally impressed with ToP’s movie lineup this year. However, quite a few people said they didn’t even need to look at the schedule before showing up to ToP because they trusted that “there is always something good playing,” according to a number of attendees.

The Summer Festival tried something new this year: Organizers let the public choose ToP’s movie lineup for the first time. Up until March of this year, people could visit the festival’s website and “Pick-a-Flick.” People voted for their favorite movies from a list of classics, cult favorites, and new blockbusters, and they could write in one wild card.

Even before letting the public vote on the movie lineup, ToP had already gained a good reputation for being a unique, fun venue.

“They show good movies here. (The lineup) is always really good," Shawn Spender said. "ToP is also a fun, social experience. You might see someone you know here. It’s good to come and hang out with friends outside. I’ve been to drive-in movie theaters, but this is the place to be to come watch movies outdoors.”

Movies are shown on a screen outside the Rackham Building.

Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com

ToP regular Steve Carnes is likely to attend “a couple of times a week, depending on what the movie is or who is playing music. Sometimes they are playing a movie that I’ve already seen, but I still like to come out to watch it here. It’s outside in the fresh air. It’s festive, which is different from just sitting at home renting a movie or watching cable.”

Carnes also likes that ToP shows a variety of popular movies from different film eras and genres, as well as newer movies. “They’ve got "The Birds" playing here in a few days. I saw that for the first time when I was a kid. It’s nice to watch these movies again on a big screen on a nice summer night,” he said.

Moviegoers relax at Ingalls Mall.

Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com

One of the most common reasons Sunday’s attendees gave for enjoying ToP movies, and the vibe at ToP in general, is that “it has a community feeling. I like that there are other people around enjoying it with you,” according to Barry Siegfried. “It’s better than sitting at home watching your TV on your own. You get to come out and enjoy the weather and the people,” Pam Siegfried added.

Michal Zochowski made it down to ToP for the first time this year, since moving to Ann Arbor about a decade ago. One of his first impressions of the festival was that “it’s nice to watch people and you can socialize a bit,” he said.

It’s not just Ann Arborites who enjoy coming to ToP for the music and movies. Larry Normann and his wife visit Ann Arbor every summer from Milwaukee, Wisconsin to see their daughter. “We come every year when the festival is on. The ToP movies are a great opportunity to come sit outside at a nice time of year,” Larry said. It was natural for them to come watch "Star Trek" because “we are all trekkers in our family. Tonight is perfect for us,” he smiled.

This past Sunday, Kathy and Curt Waugh planned to take their daughters Audrey and Vivian home after picnicking on the grass and enjoying the musical acts of the evening, which included Tsars, the Jill Jack Band and J.J. Grey & Mofro. The family decided not to stay for the movie, however they have stayed to watch a movie in the past. They agree that TOP is family-friendly. “Our kids are comfortable here. They can look at the fountain or dance a little bit and then come back to the blanket - while we keep an eye on them. We can see where they are headed,” Kathy said. Curt had to work on Father’s Day, but hanging out on the lawn at ToP was “a very relaxing way to end our day,” he added. Kathy also really enjoys ToP’s social atmosphere. “I’ve already seen several friends. A lot of the time, our picnic blanket ends up expanding. What’s so cool it is that it’s community-oriented," she said.

All events at Top of the Park are free; however, the Ann Arbor Summer Festival relies on donations to its “Give $3, Keep ToP Free” fundraising campaign to keep it that way. Find out more about giving to the Ann Arbor Summer Festival on the website.