Sunset Park BID to host its annual Fifth Avenue Festival

There’s a party in Sunset!

As the community says goodbye to another summer, the Sunset Park Fifth Avenue Business Improvement District (BID) hosts its annual Fifth Avenue Street Festival. This year will mark the 17^th year that the celebration has been held. It began in 1999.

Although there are plenty of festivals for Brooklynites to choose from, Executive Director of the BID Renee Giordano claims that Sunset offers a very unique experience. “Part of what makes this festival different is diversity,” she said. “We have lots of exciting, fun stuff so it’s not just ‘give me your money.’ There are lots of free events.”

Throughout the day, families will likely benefit the most from all of the activities as the 72^nd Precinct will distribute free child ID kits, and there will be a Brooklyn Public Library Book Mobile, rides, arts and crafts, a hula-hoop contest, and more.

“We will have a vintage Jackie Gleason bus and the kids get excited for that,” Giordano said. “Brooklyn Army Terminal will provide free lessons teaching kids to do arts and crafts. Street festivals are fun. They’re really for the kids.”

However, adults will have plenty to enjoy this year as well, including food and shopping. “We have sausages trucks, corn and candy apples, lots of different kinds of  tacos,” she added. “We have lots of street vendors that will sell arts and crafts, folk art, clothing, jewelry and various gift items.”

Those who are regulars at the Sunset festival will find new activities. “We have a few things that are new this year,” she added. “Cricket Wireless is providing a money machine on 44^th Street where people go inside and grab as much money as they can in 20 seconds. They are also raffling off free cell phones.”

The festival is also bringing in the style. “We have Anay’s Boutique doing its first Quince/Sweet 16 Fashion Show where kids 14 to 17 years old will participate. They’ll be doing free hair and make-up,” Giordano said. “They makes gowns, clothing for events like sweet 16s, and also has a package deals.”

Among the festival’s highlights are its musical performances. Sonora Dinamita, Grupo Latin Lions, Mariachi Mexico International, Regina Opera, Ricki Rocker, Downtown Equipment, the Dry States, Chanel Paisley, Andrea, Williams, Esgo, Manuel, Timothy Perez, Son Ellos Latin Band, Chicos Inflies, DJ Junito Torres and Closenuf will be performing throughout the 15-block span. The OLPH Twirlers will be performing again and DJ Jayrocks will be traveling from Florida just to perform in the festival.

Each year, Sunset hosts tons of attendees.  “It seems like it’s getting a lot of attention. Someone called up from Long Island for directions to come to enjoy the festival,” Giordano remarked. “It’s usually packed  and I don’t see why anything would be different this year.”

The Fifth Avenue Festival will span from 44^th Street to 59^th Street on Sunday, September 18 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information, visit www.sunsetparkbid.org.