It’s a New York tradition to secure one of the most coveted but free tickets in town: lining up before sunrise in Central Park to ensure a seat inside the Delacorte Theater for Shakespeare in the Park.

Mary Patterson was the first in line for Thursday’s opening night.

“Half of the fun is the line,” Patterson said. “You get to know wonderful people. You kind of bond, you look out for each other, you hold each other's places in line, make sure nobody cuts, and you just kind of get to know your fellow New Yorkers.”

What You Need To Know

Shakespeare in the Park returns to the Delacorte Theater Thursday evening

New Yorkers lined up before sunrise in Central Park Thursday morning to ensure a seat inside the theater

It has been two years since Shakespeare in the Park took the stage at the D

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