Brooklyn Borough President

BOROUGH PRESIDENT ANNOUNCES SCHEDULE FOR BROOKLYN BRIDGE TO THE WORLD CELEBRATION HONORING 120TH BIRTHDAY OF THE WORLD'S MOST FAMOUS BRIDGE

Borough President Marty Markowitz announced today the exciting schedule of events for the first Brooklyn Bridge to the World Celebration in recognition of the 120th Birthday of the Brooklyn Bridge on May 24th. Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and Borough President Markowitz are co-hosting the daylong civic celebration and tourism initiative filled with a variety of fun events for everybodym throughout the borough.

“The Brooklyn Bridge is a symbol of strength that not only connects the boroughs of Manhattan and Brooklyn, but its astounding presence also resonates with all New Yorkers,” said Mayor Bloomberg. “Participating in this birthday of the Brooklyn Bridge is a great way to experience the borough of Brooklyn and celebrate this important icon of our City’s rich history.”

“This is a celebration for all New Yorkers. The views crossing the Brooklyn Bridge are only just the beginning of an incredible day throughout New York City,” said Borough President Markowitz. “This is a great opportunity for people to experience the celebration’s unique events all over the borough and everything else that makes Brooklyn what it is today. From the fabulous rides at Coney Island to world-class parks and cultural institutions to the finest restaurants and nightclubs from all over the globe – there is no doubt we have got it all in Brooklyn. Please come for the celebration, but you may never want to leave.”

The celebration and tourism initiative will kickoff at 8:00 AM with the BIG Crossing, a coordinated biking, running or walking opportunity for New Yorkers to cross from Manhattan to Brooklyn over the world’s most famous bridge. There will be free bus and guided tours to Brooklyn’s unique cultural and recreational attractions throughout the borough leaving from Cadman Plaza Park.

There will be live stage shows at the Empire Fulton Ferry State Park featuring music, dance, poetry and many other forms of art reflecting Brooklyn’s incredible diversity of talent, culminating with a spectacular sunsetperformance of the Brooklyn Philharmonic conducted by Edward Outwater. After the concert, a laser light spectacle will illuminate a six-story, 100 foot-wide screen at the Empire Fulton Ferry State Park. Of course, there will be another architectural wonder on this historic day – the official Brooklyn Bridge Birthday cake.

For more information about the Brooklyn Bridge to the World Celebration call 718-802-3875 or visit: www.brooklyn-usa.org.

Brooklyn Bridge to the World Celebration is made possible due to the generosity of:

Boar’s Head Provisions Co., Inc., Forest City Ratner, Con Edison, Commerce Bank, KeySpan, Turner Construction, Verizon, Coach USA /Gray Line and The New York Marriott at Brooklyn Bridge.
Additional support from:

Boymelgreen Developers LLC, Brooklyn Baseball Company, Carnival Cruise, The Corcoran Group, Nikon andVirginia Dare.

Special thanks to: New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, New York City Fire Department, New York City Department of Parks & Recreation, New York City Police Department, New York City Department of Transportation and Best of Brooklyn, Inc.