Third Avenue Festival will mark decades of fun

This year, Brooklynites have another Third Avenue Festival to look forward too—only this time, it’s going to be even bigger than ever.

For the first time in two years, pony rides will return to Third Avenue. There will also be more stages than previous years (a total of 11) and up to 40 nonprofit organizations, a record number for the festival. In addition, there will be on-site pet adoptions, sponsored by Assemblymember Nicole Malliotakis, and much more.

The influx of participants can be attributed to the great success of the Summer Stroll on Third Avenue, says Chip Cafiero, the organizer of the Third Avenue Festival.

“Everyone saw how successful the Summer Stroll was and now we have more business looking to be a part of the Third Avenue Festival,” he told this paper,

Bob Howe, president of the Third Avenue Merchants, agreed.

                “We never really get an opportunity to see what the businesses are and Summer Stroll gave a lot of those businesses the opportunity to come out and be involved,” Howe noted.

“They realize how important it is to come out and remind the residents that they are in business,” he continued.

However, the Third Avenue Festival isn’t just for neighborhood residents. The vendors and ambiance that characterize it each year attract people from far and wide.

“We draw people from Staten Island to Long Island,” said Cafiero.

“There’s something for everybody between the vendors and food, restaurants and a lot of entertainment and good shopping,” he continued.

Neighborhood favorites will also make an appearance, including Frankie Marra and His Band, the Narrows Community Theater and the Brooklyn Dance Center.

The biggest performances will be outside the Brooklyn Market on the Third Avenue Festival’s Center Stage, sponsored by Brooklyn Market and State Senator Marty Golden. Brooklyn Market will also offer free raffles, prizes and giveaways. The other large stages will be located in front of the Greenhouse Café and the Kettle Black.

As always, the Merchants eagerly await the Third Avenue Festival, which will be Sunday, September 28 this year, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

“We’ve had 40 years of a successful, peaceful, enjoyable festival,” said Howe, “and there’s no reason to expect this year will be any different.”