Bay Ridge

Third Avenue sidewalk fair aims to entice senior citizens

May 9, 2016 By Paula Katinas Brooklyn Daily Eagle
A flier advertising the upcoming senior-friendly sidewalk fair has been posted all over Bay Ridge. Eagle photo by Paula Katinas
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An outdoor casino, free hair washings, wine tastings, Frank Sinatra impersonators and dancing to Motown music. These are just some of the delights awaiting senior citizens who come to Third Avenue in Bay Ridge for “Welcome to the 60s,” a sidewalk social taking place on May 17.

Sponsored by the Bay Ridge Center, the Merchants of Third Avenue and the Bay Ridge Age-Friendly Project, “Welcome to the 60s” will take place on the sidewalks outside stores along Third Avenue from 83rd Street to 93rd Street from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.

The goal is to bring senior citizens together with shop owners and have them get to know one another better, according to Judith Grimaldi, a lawyer who is helping to organize the event. Senior citizens are loyal customers who could help a merchant boost their bottom line, she said.

And the senior citizen population is huge, according to Marianne Nicolosi, executive director of the Bay Ridge Center, who said that Community Board 10, which is made up of Bay Ridge and Dyker Heights, is home to 18,000 residents over the age of 60.

The sidewalk social will feature prizes, discounts, entertainment, beauty and fashion tips, live music, arts and crafts, casino games, Bingo and free workshops.

As its name suggests, the sidewalk social will take place on sidewalks. The five-hour event will not involve shutting down streets to vehicular traffic.

The sponsors approached merchants along Third Avenue and asked them to host special events for the afternoon. The response was overwhelming, said Liz Amato, a volunteer assisting with the planning for the event. “Not one merchant said no,” she said.

Plans for the social were discussed during a meeting the sponsors had at Caffe Café on Third Avenue on Thursday morning.

Amato and Doris Cruz, another volunteer, outlined the various amenities that will be available to enjoy.

There will be karaoke, hula dancing and an “Antiques Road Show” type of booth where people can bring items they found in their attics and have appraisers to determine their value.

In addition, a special trolley-like bus will be traveling up and down the sidewalk social route to take senior citizens to their favorite spots.

For more information on “Welcome to the 60s,” call Todd Fliedner at the Bay Ridge Center at 718-748-0873 or email [email protected].

 

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