Fun on Fifth as annual festival draws crowds to strip

Karaoke stars and pizza eating phenomena replaced the usual labyrinth of double-parked cars at the Fifth Avenue Festival this Sunday. The thoroughfare between Bay Ridge Avenue and 85^th Street was transformed into a patchwork quilt of tables and tents, which contained Fifth Avenue’s finest businesses coming out to celebrate Bay Ridge on a beautiful day.

Among those soaking up the sunshine at the 20^th annual festival, sponsored by the Bay Ridge Fifth Avenue Business Improvement District, was Gaspare Tumminello of Bay Ridge Pizza. The pizzeria was celebrating its35^th anniversary, and the Tumminellos could not be more pleased to have their family be part of the Bay Ridge family.

“Bay Ridge Pizza is an example of one of the anchors we have here in our community. They plant their roots here, and grow,” said Councilmember Vincent Gentile.

“There’s nothing that can touch Bay Ridge,” said Tumminello with a laugh, gesturing towards the crowds before him.

Additionally, Rocco’s held its ninth annual pizza-eating competition. Joey Loccisano, along with his brother Danny, prepared over 500 slices for the competition, with all proceeds going to benefit Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.

Jamie McDonald of Hartford, Connecticut, took the crown, consuming 30 slices of pizza in 12 minutes, completely shattering defending champion Patrick Philban’s record of 19 slices.

“It’s great to beat the record, and it feels even better to be contributing to a great cause,” said McDonald.

Ultimately, McDonald was reportedly “full” after his victory.

Assemblymember Nicole Malliotakis also made an appearance at the festival, alongside rescue Chihuahua Miko and P.L.U.T.O Rescue President and Founder Lisa Rooney.

The crew was urging festival goers to get their pets from adoption agencies, or a reputable breeder, and to consider becoming trap, neuter, return-certified.