[related_gallery align=”right”]WASHINGTON — Screen on the Green, a D.C. tradition which saw thousands of people bring a blanket to the National Mall on Monday nights and watch classic movies on a gigantic screen, has been canceled.

“Today we share some sad news: HBO and Comcast have decided to discontinue hosting Screen on the Green in DC, effective this summer,” said Jesse B. Rauch, president of Friends of Screen on the Green, in a letter.

“HBO is very proud of our 17 years of Screen on the Green on the Mall,” HBO says in a statement. “Unfortunately, this year we have decided to move on and place our resources elsewhere. We thank everyone that has assisted and attended for their many years of support.”

Rauch said Friends of Screen on the Green has contacted the Trust for the National Mall to “explore opportunities to collaborate and possibly find new sponsors who can help continue this iconic tradition.”

Anyone with ideas to keep Screen on the Green going is asked to email president@friendsofscreenonthegreen.org.

Last summer,  Screen on the Green showed classic movies that included “Back to the Future” and “The Poseidon Adventure.” The free screenings in July and August were shown on  a 20-by-40-foot screen on the National Mall between 4th and 7th streets.