Bay Ridge

30 years of Fun on Fifth

Fifth Avenue festival celebrates a milestone

June 6, 2024 Wayne Daren Schneiderman
Several thousand spectators attended Sunday’s “Fun on Fifth” festival. Brooklyn Eagle photos by Wayne Daren Schneiderman
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BAY RIDGE — Thousands lined the streets with one objective: to have Fun on Fifth.

Judging from the countless smiling faces along the avenue, the festival was a smashing success. Fifth Avenue from 69th to 85th streets included plenty of food, rides, shopping and games on Sunday, June 2.

Music was also a significant part of the festivities, with live performances by Uncle Jack, Sha-Doobie, Out of the Blue, Colonial Road, Mike McLaughlin, Sal Arnuk, Bobby Tambo and Fast Forward.

The festival took place from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The Bay Ridge Fifth Avenue Business Improvement District (BID), led by Executive Director Elizabeth Lovejoy, sponsored the event.

“We are thrilled to host the 30th Annual Fifth Avenue festival, which is a milestone,Lovejoy said.We’ve introduced exciting, new additions such as pony rides and expanded activities for children. Our aim across all our events is to create a fun, family-friendly atmosphere while driving significant foot traffic to support the success of merchants and vendors.”

Pony rides for the young ones were a new addition to the festival this year.
Pony rides for the young ones were a new addition to the festival this year.

Lovejoy has been in the BID since 2017 and executive director since August 2023.

What’s so appealing about Bay Ridge and Fifth Avenue especially is its diversity,she said.It’s a small town in a big city. Everyone knows each other, and that’s why Bay Ridge is so special.” 

According to Lovejoy, her greatest accomplishments thus far are obtaining a $75,000 grant from the NYC Department of Small Business Services and the Fun on Fifth festival. 

Sponsored by the Bay Ridge Fifth Avenue Business Improvement District, Sunday’s Fifth Avenue festival ran from 69th to 85th streets.
Sponsored by the Bay Ridge Fifth Avenue Business Improvement District, Sunday’s Fifth Avenue festival ran from 69th to 85th streets.

 Former State Sen. Marty Golden was among the festival’s spectators.

It’s events like these that mean a whole lot to the community,Golden said.Having people get out and enjoy themselves, getting to know their neighbors and the small businesses in the area — it’s about getting people engaged.” 

46th District assembly member Alec Brook-Krasny referred to the festival asan incredible tradition that started 30 years ago.”

I’ve been here practically every year, and I so enjoy it,Brook-Krasny said.I certainly hope it will go on for another 100 years. It’s about having fun, eating great food and enjoying it with your friends and families.” 

From left: Marty Golden, Jennifer Moore, Alec Brook-Krasny, Richie Barsamian and Vito LaBella.
From left: Marty Golden, Jennifer Moore, Alec Brook-Krasny, Richie Barsamian and Vito LaBella.

Richie Barsamian, chairman of the Kings County Republican Party, said the festival isanother example of why Brooklyn is the capital of the world and Bay Ridge is the heart of that capital.”

“Here I am on Fifth Avenue, surrounded by thousands of people,Barsamian said.You feel the spirit of New Yorkers here — the electricity of being a Brooklynite.  You are surrounded by pretty much every group from every corner of the world. All of us together are proving that what unites us is so much stronger than anything that could ever divide us.” 

The Bay Ridge Fifth Avenue BID is a non-profit organization serving Fifth Avenue between 65th and 85th streets. Fifth Avenue is a hub for over 300 locally owned businesses.





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