Fifth Avenue Festival returning to Bay Ridge this weekend

BY BRANDON SAPIENZA & HELEN KLEIN

With the summer nearly in full swing in Bay Ridge, the Fifth Avenue Festival will once again draw strollers and browsers from the neighborhood and beyond to the strip on Sunday, June 3.

The festival, now in its 24th year, runs along the thoroughfare from 69th Street to 85th Street, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Along the way, vendors with offerings ranging from food to action figures, and pretty much everything in between, will be set up, as well as six areas set aside for a variety of entertainment.

“We had over 30,000 in attendance in the past and expect a similar crowd this year,” said Amanda Zenteno, executive director of Bay Ridge Business Improvement District (BID).

For the thousands expected to pour into Bay Ridge, there is plenty to do at the festival for everyone of all ages.

Among the bands performing at the center stage at 77th Street will be Full Disclosure. There will also be three live bands at Mussels and More at 80th Street, a belly dancer outside Le Sajj at 82nd Street, the band Anaka will be performing at the Hideout at 84th Street and the band Lunatix will be playing at the Schnitzel House at 73rd Street..

At 69th and 71st Streets, kids can enjoy a number of rides and play carnival games. There will be a clown outside AMP Insurance at 77th Street, and kids’ activities outside Havin’ a Party at 84th Street.

Brooklyn Idol, a karaoke contest, will be held at the Bean Post Pub at 76th Street.

There will be outdoor games at PC’s Pub at 72nd Street. A number of 3 on 3 basketball games will be played at 79th Street and following the games, trophies will be handed out at Skinflints. On that same street, Long’s Wine and Liquors will entice passersby with wine tastings over the course of the day.

A few blocks away, at 83rd Street, Salon Briana will be celebrating its 25th anniversary with giveaways. Also celebrating an anniversary is Bay Ridge Pizza, at 77th Street, which is marking 40 years in business during the festival.

For those attending with a pet, at 82nd Street, the Brooklyn Canine Club will be setting up a rest stop for cats and dogs. In addition, there will be a pet kissing booth, where you and your furry friend can get your photo taken, at 72nd Street.

“The goal of the street fair is to promote foot traffic and highlight the diverse shops and restaurants that call Fifth Avenue home,” said Zenteno. ” A strong, healthy commercial corridor relies on small mom and pop shops who serve our neighbors and friends.”

For more information on the festival, visit www.bayridgebid.com/festival.

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