BAY RIDGE — Thousands of costumed locals of all ages lined Fifth Avenue on Saturday, Oct. 26, for the neighborhood’s third annual Halloween Fest. 

The event, which is run by the Fifth Avenue Business Improvement District (BID), ran between 72nd to 85th Streets from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. and provided an opportunity for everyone in the Bay Ridge community to celebrate Halloween in a safe, family-friendly environment and support local businesses, Elizabeth Lovejoy, executive director of the Bay Ridge Fifth Avenue BID, told the Brooklyn Eagle. 

“It’s all about bringing the community together for a day of fun, excitement and seasonal spirit,” Lovejoy said. “Families, kids and neighbors can enjoy a range of activities along the avenue, including pumpkin decorating, arts and crafts and trick-or-treating.  

“The Halloween Fest is truly special to our community because it brings people of all ages together for a day of joy, creativity and neighborhood pride,” Lovejoy explained, adding that the event has grown into a much-anticipated tradition. Local shops hand out treats and there are themed activities planned on the avenue. It’s a chance for everyone to connect, support one another and enjoy the vibrant spirit of the community.

Creating lasting memories

Halloween Fest highlights the uniqueness of Bay Ridge, creating lasting memories for everyone involved and reinforcing a shared commitment to a lively, family-friendly and inclusive neighborhood, Lovejoy pointed out. 

“As executive director, one of the biggest challenges is ensuring that the event is safe, accessible and enjoyable for all,” she said. “This involves coordinating with local businesses, securing permits, managing street closures and arranging for safety personnel and crowd control, which are all vital in making sure everything runs smoothly.”

The Halloween Fest was a collective idea, developed by the entire BID board of directors to highlight the vibrancy and unique charm of Fifth Avenue.

“We’re hoping attendees of all ages will enjoy not only the activities, costumes and festive decorations, but also see our vibrant local businesses in a new light,” Lovejoy noted. “We want attendees to feel the unique charm and energy, and leave with a renewed sense of connection and pride in our neighborhood. It’s really all about building memories, strengthening community ties and showcasing what makes our part of Brooklyn so special.” 

What is particularly unique about this year’s event, according to Lovejoy, is that “NYC Ghostbusters,” a charitable organization, participated and brought their Ecto-1 replica from the 2016 Ghostbusters movie.

BID of Fifth Avenue

The Bay Ridge Fifth Avenue BID serves to support and revitalize the local business corridor along Fifth Avenue in Bay Ridge. Its principal functions include: promoting economic vitality by attracting foot traffic, supporting local businesses and organizing events that engage both residents and visitors; maintaining a clean and safe environment: street cleaning, graffiti removal and security efforts are prioritized to ensure a welcoming atmosphere along Fifth Avenue; beautification and improvement projects: streetscape enhancements, including plantings, holiday decorations and public art to improve the aesthetic appeal and character of the avenue; and advocating for the community by representing the interests of local businesses, property owners and residents. The BID collaborates with city agencies and other stakeholders to bring about beneficial policies and improvements.

These functions collectively aim to create a thriving, vibrant Fifth Avenue, reinforcing it as a central hub of commerce and community life in Bay Ridge.