Reggae Carifest
The annual "Reggae Carifest" has been held in Forest Hills, Queens and Randall's Island and Coney Island. It's been an annual event since 1998.…
Richmond County Fair
The annual Richmond County (Staten Island) Fair began in 1979 and has a little bit of everything. The event benefits the Staten Island Historical Society and Historic Richmond Town. Historic…
River-to-River Festival
The River-to-River Festival began in 2002. Like the annual Tribeca Film Festival, it's another attempt to revitalize the downtown area after the tragedy of September 11, 2001. 13 May 2002, PR…
Salute to Israel
Many "salutes to Israel" occurred in 1948 with the formation of the Jewish state. The programs held in New York City were particularly important in the formation of the modern state of…
Second Line; Second Liner; Second Lining
The "second line" -- especially in New Orleans and in other places as well -- follows the regular band at parades and funerals, and follows the tune by clapping along, dancing or playing…
Shakespeare in the Park (New York Shakespeare Festival)
Joseph Papp (1921-1991) founded the New York Shakespeare Festival and "Shakespeare in the Park" in the 1950s. Free Shakespeare in the summer in Central Park is now a ritual, but Papp…
Sikh Day Parade
The Sikh Day Parade began in the 1980s. It's quickly becoming a popular New York City ethnic parade. More Sikh immigrants have perhaps located in Queens than any other borough.…
Siren Music Festival (Village Voice)
The annual Siren Music Festival at Coney Island is sponsored by the Village Voice. http://www.villagevoice.com/siren/2005/press_042406.htmlThe Village Voice Announces Date for6th Annual Village…
Sock and Sausage Fests (criticism of street fairs)
Street fairs have came under criticism in the summer of 2005. A New York Post writer editorialized that the street fairs are all the same and that many should be eliminated. The debate was…
Solo Arts Festival
The Solo Arts Festival (by terraNOVA Collective) is a new annual event of readings, music and more. http://www.terranovacollective.org/SoloArtsFestival.phpJune 8-25Center Stage, NY48 West 21st…
Spooktacular (spook + spectacular)
"Spooktacular" (spook + spectacular) is a word that's popular at Halloween time. The first citation of the word is from "A Hallowe'en Party" by Laura Smith, published…
St. Patrick’s Day Parade
The New York Gazette will eventually be digitized. Until them, we don't know much about St. Patrick's Day in New York in the 1700s. The St. Patrick's Day Parade is one of New…
Steuben Day Parade
The Steuben Day Parade in September celebrates German Americans, in honor of the Revolutionary War hero. General Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben had been honored by New York State and had been the…
Strawberry One-Act Festival (“American Idol for Playwrights”)
The Strawberry One-Act Festival was started by the Riant Theatre in 1996. The New York Daily News has dubbed it "American Idol for playwrights."…
Summer Play Festival (SPF)
The Summer Play Festival on Theatre Row (West 42nd Street) is an annual event that began in 2004. http://www.spfnyc.com/The 3rd annualSUMMER PLAY FESTIVALJuly 5-July 30, 2006SPF Presents the Work…
Take A Walk, New York! (TAWNY)
Want to walk New York? Why not go with Take A Walk, New York (TAWNY)? There are several walks each month, and it's free! http://www.walkny.org/Step1.htmlTake A Walk, New York! Do you love New…
Tartan Day Parade
Scotland has been late to the New York City list of ethnic parades. The first "Tartan Day Parade" was held only recently, in 1999. Certainly, it's no match for the traditional St.…
The New Yorker Festival
The New Yorker Festival started in 2000 simply as a 75th anniversary celebration of the magazine, The New Yorker. It's become an annual event since then. The event celebrates everything that…
Three Kings Day Parade
Three Kings Day is celebrated on January 6th in Spanish communities. The annual Three Kings Day Parade is run by El Museo del Barrio. http://www.elmuseo.org/Three Kings' Day ParadeOn Friday,…
Turkish Day Parade
The Turkish Day Parade (or, Turkish-American Day Parade) is one of the newer ethnic parades, beginning in the 1980s. It celebrates the modern Turkish state.…