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2013 Memorial Day Weekend in Brooklyn

What to Do, Where to Go

May 23, 2013 By Mary Frost Brooklyn Daily Eagle
b_memorial_day_parade_bay_ridge_Photo by Ray Aalbue.jpg
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This Memorial Day weekend, Brooklyn is bursting with ways to commemorate our veterans and celebrate the unofficial start of the summer season.

Looking for fun and memorable activities? Here’s a list of parades, celebrations and special events for Memorial Day 2013 in Brooklyn:

The Kings County Memorial Day Parade: The theme for the 2013 parade is “Lest We Forget.” The parade will kick off on at 11 a.m. on Third Avenue and 87th Street, and conclude with a ceremony in John Paul Jones Park on Fourth Avenue and 101st Street.

Greenpoint Veterans Memorial Parade: The parade travels from the St. Stanislaus Memorial American Legion Post to St. Anthony-St. Alphonsus Church for a “Massing of the Colors” and Memorial Mass for all veterans.

Brooklyn Navy Yard: Enjoy Memorial Day Weekend with tours at the Brooklyn Navy Yard. See comment below for updated activity details.

Coney Island: Rides and attractions are now open all week long. The weekend’s events start Friday with a “Burlesque-A-Pades Beach Party”; Amanda Palmer’s Mermaid Parade Benefit on Saturday; a night of Magic on Sunday and the last traditional 10-in 1 continuous sideshow in the nation. The Coney Island History Project’s this weekend with “The Curious Playland Arcade Art of Larry Millard.”

The New York Aquarium: After being devastated by Superstorm Sandy, the Aquarium will partially reopen on Saturday. Summer hours are 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Reopened sections include Glover’s Reef, Conservation Hall, outdoor spaces of Sea Cliffs and a fully re-modeled Aquatheater with a new sea lion demonstration.

BAM DanceAfrica Performances & Open Air Bazaar: May 25-27. 300 vendors converge on the streets surrounding BAM, transforming the neighborhood into a global marketplace offering African, Caribbean, and African-American food, crafts, and fashion. Open noon till 8 p.m., and till 10 p.m. on Saturday. Also: a late night dance party on Saturday, 10 p.m.; and films from around the world. On Monday, face painting and crafts at the Children’s Village and African dance workshops.

Green-Wood Cemetery: Free Memorial Day Concert, plus a Trolley Tour. Monday, May 27: Free concert (bring a picnic blanket) 2:30 – 5 p.m. ISO Symphonic Band features the works of Green-Wood’s permanent residents Fred Ebb, Louis Moreau Gottschalk, Leonard Bernstein, and many others. Food and refreshments on sale all day. A trolley “mini-tour” ($15) begins right after the concert, featuring highlights of historic Green-Wood. Make online reservations or call 718-210-3080.

Carroll Park Memorial Day Observance Ceremony: Monday, May 27 at 11 a.m. A wreath will be placed at the War Memorial Monument. Sponsored by Court Street Merchants Association.

The Kings County Fair: Lasts through Memorial Day weekend. Activities include rides and games, a Ferris wheel, roller coaster and fair food: deep fried candy bars, corn dogs, funnel cakes and BBQ.

Old Stone House: A multi-artist exhibition “Battle Pass- Revolution IV,” explores the pathos of the Battle of Brooklyn.

BWAC Spring Pier Art Show: Held in one of Red Hook’s historic warehouses on the waterfront near the Fairway supermarket, and not far from IKEA in Brooklyn. More at

Governor’s Island: Opens Saturday, May 25. Events include Rising Tide presented by the Sculptors Guild, a crafters homemade gift shop, a “Shipwrecked!” exhibit, a Vintage Baseball game. Ferries leave from Brooklyn Bridge Park’s Pier 6 at the foot of Atlantic Avenue beginning at 11 a.m. http://www.govisland.com/

Bluegrass on Union Street: Sunday, May 26, noon – 10:30 p.m. Free. BBQ, beer and bluegrass at 4 p.m.  $2 pints.

Bargemusic “Music in Motion” Neighborhood Family Concert: Saturday, May 25, 3 p.m. Free. A one hour performance, including a Q & A session with the musicians (no intermission). Doors open at 2:30 p.m. The program is announced at the performance. No reserved seating.

Bike Floyd Bennett Field: Saturday, May 25 from 10 a.m. – noon. Join a Park Ranger on a four-mile bike ride and enjoy the sites of Floyd Bennett Field. Travel will be at moderate pace. Bring water, sunscreen, a bike, helmet and dress for the ride. Space is limited; call 718-338-3799 for reservation.

Sunset Ecology Cruise in Jamaica Bay: Saturday, May 25 from 5 – 8 p.m. All aboard the “Golden Sunshine” for an annual cruise along the backwaters of Jamaica Bay. See nesting egrets, herons, ibis, peregrine falcon and osprey. Cost: $55 includes 3-hour narrated tour plus wine & cheese, fruit and snacks. To reserve call 917-371-8577 or email: [email protected]. Departs from Sheepshead Bay, Pier 4.

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