Editorial: Fifth Avenue Festival beckons

This Sunday, June 2, Fifth Avenue will strut its stuff as its annual street fair returns for the 20^th year.

In a neighborhood that loves and nurtures its traditions, the festival, coming on the heels of the yearly Memorial Day Parade, which followed closely on another local tradition, the 17^th of May Norwegian Constitution Day Parade, is a sure sign that summer is almost here.

Sunny skies and temperate weather will bring tens of thousands of shoppers and strollers to the avenue. But – given the strong affection that Ridgeites feel for their annual events – even bad weather will not discourage the crowds from walking the avenue, sampling the wide range of foodstuffs that are for sale, shopping and browsing and, of course, stopping to listen to the lively performances that are a centerpiece of the beloved event.

They will also stop to gawk as intrepid eaters stuff slices into their mouths in the annual pizza-eating competition, this neighborhood’s version of the annual July 4 hot dog eating contest at Nathan’s.

It’s a fun day, a day to show off the neighborhood, and a day to reconnect with friends and relatives along one of Bay Ridge’s main streets.

Coney is back

And, speaking of fun, Coney Island is back in business, and better than ever. The seaside neighborhood re-opened for the summer right before Memorial Day weekend, and, despite its battering by Superstorm Sandy, the area is sparkling as it invites Brooklynites as well as those from beyond the borough to enjoy its myriad charms.

Among the attractions are the renovated and just reopened historic B & B Carousell in its new home in the shadow of the Parachute Jump, as well as a restored Aquarium and a new-old Nathan’s – both of which have come back from the floodwaters that damaged them last year.

And, that’s just the beginning. Brooklyn’s playground by the sea has so much to offer.

We’ll be there, and we hope to see you there as well.