Back to School Party on Montague Street kicks off 2025 school year

BROOKLYN HEIGHTS — It was quite the scene: Hundreds of gleeful youngsters filled Montague Street in Brooklyn Heights on Sunday for a great, big Back to School Party, hosted by Brooklyn Bridge Parents as part of Open Streets on Montague.

“We’re kicking off Open Streets for the fall and it’s a beautiful day!” said Kate Chura, executive director of the Montague Street Business Improvement District, as she stood next to a shiny yellow electric school bus. “There’s lots of activities — amazing martial arts displays; this electric school bus that kids can go inside to see how it works; Chama Mama is offering up delicious snacks; and Piera Bonerba at Le Meraviglie is working with the little artists,” she said.

There was something for everyone — games, arts and crafts, performances and dancing, robot crafts, artsy building activities, basketball hoops, piano lessons, an obstacle course and more. 

The Free Art Dude (Curtis Widen, a Bronx art teacher), wearing a stupendously tall white hat, handed out free reproductions of works by master artists to all comers. “Would you like free art?” he asked passersby. “We’ve got Picasso, we’ve got Matisse, we’ve got Klee.”

Some higher-energy kids pushed young passengers around the street in a do-it-yourself train (boxes mounted on wheels). “All aboard!” They cried.

Others preferred science, art or music activities, like Umai Isabaev, age 10, who — despite the scene around her — sat in total concentration for a piano lesson. “Umai loves music,” her mom told the Brooklyn Eagle. “We have an electric piano at home. She watches YouTube and plays along.” Umai also plays the flute, her mom added.

Open Streets on Montague is a project of the Montague Street BID, the Brooklyn Heights Association and the New York City Department of Transportation.