The festival has exploded in many ways since its inception, but the drive-in is one event that still holds on to the goals of its first outing, which sought to drive commerce and activity to the neighborhood. Evidence for this could be seen in the overcrowded patios of every restaurant on the plaza and in the hundreds of children dancing in a space normally reserved for Mercantile Exchange staffers grabbing a quick lunch.

Josh Cicerone, vice president and creative director at Dalzell Productions, who oversaw the event, told us last week that activities like the drive-in are what continue to inspire the festival and its many volunteers year to year.

The drive-in followed "Thriller" night with screenings of the new Meerkat Manor film on Friday and the winner of Tribeca/ESPN Fans' Favorite Football Flick competition, We Are Marshall, on Saturday. Public events will continue this weekend with the Tribeca Family Festival street fair all day Saturday and the Tribeca/ESPN Sports Day on Sunday afternoon.   —Michael O'Connell