Central Park SummerStage

The longest-running and most prestigious art fair in America. The Art Show takes place March 7 through March 11, 2012 in New York City. Organized by the Art Dealers Association of America (ADAA) to benefit the Henry Street Settlement, the fair presents exhibitions from the nation's leading art dealers and galleries showcasing a variety of museum-quality exhibits ranging from cutting-edge, 21st century works, to masterpieces from the 19th and 20th centuries.

Friday, July 6th 2012 at 7:30pm Dress in a Patriotic Theme! Start your daily regimen of crunches, planks, and bicycles to prepare for the big day and get pumped for an awesome event! The Underwear Run is a 1.7 mile fun run that takes place in Central Park every year on the Friday before the Aquaphor New York City Triathlon. No transitions, no timing chips, no expensive race gear, just 500 strangers running around in their underwear. Another typical summer evening in New York City!! The 2012 "Celebrate America" Underwear Run wants all participants to dress as patriotic as possible! Get your George Washington and Lady Liberty on... in underwear!

September 9-23, 2012. Befitting the legacy of this internationally renowned neighborhood, the HIFF experience integrates the best that Harlem has to offer - great restaurants, unique boutiques, world-class music venues, prestigious universities and cultural institutions, and a long history of excellence in the Arts. <br/> In addition to showcasing some of the best films from around the world, the Festival also features the Harlem Spotlight, which highlights films produced or directed by Harlem residents, films shot in Harlem, or films about Harlem and its history.

What started as a single afternoon block party back in 1974 quickly ballooned into something the neighborhood couldn't contain in just 24 hours. The overwhelming turnout made it clear that Harlem had far more stories to tell than one day allowed—decades of political movements, economic resilience, and artistic innovation all deserved proper space to breathe. Today's multi-day celebration carries that same spirit of bringing the community together, spotlighting both the historical moments that shaped the neighborhood and the emerging creative voices making waves right now. During winter months, the festivities take on a particularly warm, intimate quality as locals and visitors bundle up to move between venues, creating an atmosphere where genuine connection cuts through the cold. At its core, it remains what it's always been: a gathering that lets New Yorkers—especially Harlem residents—celebrate the neighborhood's transformation and look ahead with real optimism.

The premier event of New York Road Runners, the ING New York City Marathon is one of the world's great road races, drawing more than 85,000 applicants. The race attracts many world-class professional athletes, not only for the more than $500,000 in prize money, but also for the chance to excel in the media capital of the world before two million cheering spectators and 260 million worldwide television viewers. As any one of the 635,000 past participants will attest, crossing the finish line in Central Park is one of the great thrills of a lifetime.<br> http://www.nyrrc.org

June, July and August. The lawn opens at 5:00pm for blankets (no plastic tarps please) and picnicking. The films begin at dusk (typically between 8pm and 9pm).

The Salute To Israel Parade, the single largest gathering in the world in support of Israel, will celebrate the milestone 60th Anniversary of the State of Israel on June 1, 2008 on Fifth Avenue in New York City. From its beginning in 1964, the Salute To Israel Parade has been a public affirmation of love and support of Israel, as well as an expression community among American Jews that transcends religious and political affiliations.

Goals of Saint Patrick's Day Parade: Is the widespread dissemination of information about Parades and Irish Festivals <br> A market place for million of Irish customers. <br> To bring local and national and international Irish news. <br> To be a local leader of special causes and to help local benefits <br> To create an environment of local supportive atmosphere for business to invest on the internet for corporate, professionals, and individuals.

The week New Yorkers and tourists from the world over stop to be dazzled by the vibrant culture and spectacular achievements of some of the people who made America great. <br> The spirit of exploration, the struggles and triumphs of immigrants who helped build the United States, and the vibrant heritage and cultural wealth of the Italian-American community, was celebrated during Columbus Celebration 2010, from October 8th through October 11th.

Picture New York Harbor transformed into a maritime showcase during those warm late-spring days when the city buzzes with activity. The Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum serves as the epicenter, though the celebration radiates across all five boroughs with energy to spare. Expect more than a dozen naval vessels—from the U.S. Navy, Coast Guard, and international fleets—anchored in the harbor, their decks welcoming curious visitors through free daily tours. The week unfolds with parades of ships gliding past the skyline, athletic showdowns like relay races and crew tug-of-wars, live combat demonstrations, and even a spirited cooking competition among ship crews. A solemn Memorial Day ceremony anchors the schedule aboard the Intrepid's flight deck, where veterans and active service members honor fallen heroes with Taps, a wreath placement, a 21-gun salute, a massive unfurled flag, and military aircraft performing the missing man formation overhead. Throughout the seven-day festival, the harbor becomes a living museum where civilians can climb aboard vessels, witness military precision up close, and celebrate the personnel who serve the country. The collaboration between New York City, the Navy, and the Intrepid Museum creates an event that blends spectacle with tribute.

July 5-8, 2012. The CBGB Festival will be presenting emerging artist showcases in over 30 venues in Manhattan and Brooklyn on July 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th. Mixed in with the emerging talent with be some of today's best touring artists making for memorable nights of new and established music from some of today's best talents. On July 7th, CBGB Festival will be presenting a large free concert in New York City at this great city's iconic outdoor music venue: Summerstage in Central Park.

Greece celebrates its Independence on March 25th, which is also the day Gabriel announced to Mary that she was with child. In 1821, Greeks vigorously rose up against the oppressive Ottoman Empire which had occupied Greece for nearly four hundred years, embarking on the ultimately successful war of independence. Bishop Germanos of Patras boldly raised the Greek flag at the monastery of Agia Lavras, inciting the Peloponnese to rise against the oppressors.

Sunday, June 10th, 2012. The National Puerto Rican Day Parade (NPRDP) takes place annually along Fifth Avenue in Manhattan, on the second Sunday in June, in honor of the nearly 4 million inhabitants of Puerto Rico and nearly 4 million people of Puerto Rican birth or heritage residing in the United States.<br> Originally, the Desfile Puertorriqueño, Inc., was born of the imperative necessity of translating Puerto Rican achievements into a visible demonstration of the dynamism of the Puerto Rican community, in order to achieve Puerto Rican unification and support all the other Spanish-speaking people. The first parade was held on Sunday, April 13, 1958, in Spanish Harlem “El Barrio”. The second parade was held for the first time along Fifth Avenue in New York City. (In 1980 was incorporated the New York Puerto Rican Parade, Inc. , a successor of the Desfile Puertorriqueño, Inc.) The National Puerto Rican Day Parade, Inc., a 501(c)3 organization, is a successor of the New York Puerto Rican Parade, Inc. it was incorporated and founded by Dr. Ramón S. Vélez and others members in 1995. Founding members still active in the organization are Madelyn Lugo and Maria Román Dumén. This new organizational structure not only expanded the scale of the parade itself but enhanced its ability to promote cultural awareness, education, leadership and community engagement among Puerto Ricans

Brazil’s Independence Day (September 7th) is the occasion chosen to bring Brazilian-Americans, Brazilians who live away from home and those many people interested in Brazil together for a very special event. In 1984 the City of New York proclaimed the first Sunday in September as the day in which it celebrates Brazilian Independence from Portugal, which took place on September 7th, 1822.

When spring arrives in New York, automotive enthusiasts flock to the Jacob Javits Convention Center for a spectacular celebration of cars and innovation. Timed to coincide with Easter weekend each late March or early April, the event transforms the waterfront venue into a showcase of gleaming vehicles and cutting-edge automotive technology. The spectacle kicks off with a bang—previous years have featured everything from vintage stickball matches to drivers performing jaw-dropping feats of strength, all designed to build momentum and captivate the crowds. These opening moments set the tone for what's to come. Throughout the event, major automakers and industry partners fill the sprawling floor with interactive exhibits where visitors can climb into upcoming models, test drive simulators, and get hands-on with the latest innovations shaping the future of transportation. The energy carries through to the closing Sunday after Easter, making it a multi-week destination for car lovers across the region. Behind the scenes, manufacturers use the days leading up to the public opening to reveal their most anticipated new vehicles and experimental prototypes to automotive journalists and media professionals. Industry leaders from GNYADA and IMPA also converge during this period for strategic meetings and networking opportunities that shape conversations throughout the year.

The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade (also "Macy's Day Parade" in informal contexts, and originally the "Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade" ) is an annual parade presented by Macy's Department Store. The three-hour event is held in New York City starting at 9:00 a.m. EST on Thanksgiving Day.<br> Large animal-shaped balloons replaced the live animals in 1927 when the Felix the Cat balloon debuted. Felix was filled with air, but by the next year, helium was used to fill the expanding cast of balloons. <br> The Parade was suspended from 1942-1944 because of World War II. The rubber and helium were needed for the war effort. The Parade resumed in 1945 using the route that it still runs today. The parade gained serious fame after being prominently featured in the 1947 film, Miracle on 34th Street. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org" target="new">Source</a>

Monday, December 31, 2012. Lucky Number ‘13’ Arrives for Times Square New Year’s Eve The giant, seven-foot-tall “13” (and all the superstitions that go along with the number) will arrive in Times Square on Wednesday, December 19, 2012 from 11 AM – 11:30 AM at the Times Square Museum & Visitor Center (7th Avenue between 46th and 47th Streets).<br/> The famous (or infamous) numeral will be very carefully unloaded and brought inside where the “13” will be presented with thirteen multi-cultural good luck charms to turnaround its unlucky reputation. After receiving the good luck charms, the “13” will be illuminated to symbolize good fortune and a bright future in the New Year. The lucky “13” and its thirteen lucky charms will remain on display until December 26th. At that time, the numeral will be installed atop One Times Square to complete the “2-0-1-3” sign that lights up at midnight to announce the beginning of the New Year at the completion of the Ball Drop.

The River to River Festival takes place each summer during the month of July, in a variety of public venues that canvas all of Downtown New York - from Chambers Street down to the southern tip of Manhattan and across the island from river to river. Starting in 2007, the River to River Festival is proud to be taking steps toward becoming an environmentally friendly festival. From recycling to printing to power generation, the Festival is teaming up with business and civic leaders to develop ways to lessen its impact on the environment and to become a carbon-neutral event.

Bike New York has announced dates and details for the 2013 TD Five Boro Bike Tour, held Sunday, May 5, 2013. The Tour will be returning to a “rush” first-come, first-serve registration system which will open on Tuesday, January 22 at 12:00 p.m. EST.<br/> Held annually the first Sunday in May, the TD Five Boro Bike Tour is America’s largest cycling event with a 40 mile, traffic-free ride through all five boroughs for 32,000 cyclists. The Tour is co-produced by Bike New York, the city’s premiere bicycling organization, and the New York City Department of Transportation, in association with multiple City of New York departments. Proceeds from the event fund Bike New York’s education programs. Bike New York, aka The Five Boro Bike tour, is the largest event of it's kind in the United States. Every year on the first Sunday of May, over 30,000 riders participate in the 42 mile ride around New York City. The closed route takes riders through all five boros of New York City, across five major bridges, and finally across New York Harbor on the Staten Island ferry.<br> The tour runs north up the Avenue of the Americas (6th avenue) past Macy's and past the lions of the New York City Public Library before entering Central Park. After exiting the park the tour crosses into the Bronx for a short 2 mile stretch before getting back to Manhattan and onto the FDR Drive. The FDR stretch of the tour runs south through Manhattan under Gracie Mansion before crossing the East River via Queensboro Bridge into Queens where the tour enters Astoria park. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org" target="new">Source</a>

The Annual Feast of San Gennaro, New York City's oldest, biggest and best street festival. Presented annually since 1996 by Figli di San Gennaro, Inc., a not-for-profit organization, this year?s Feast will again bring more than 1 million people to the streets of Little Italy in the annual salute to the Patron Saint of Naples. The street festivities including parades, entertainment, food stands and a cannoli-eating contest are capped on September 19th with a celebratory Mass and candlelit procession as the Statue of the Saint is carried from its permanent home in Most Precious Blood Church on Mulberry Street.

All Those in Costume are Welcome to Join Hundreds of Puppets, 53 Bands of Different Types of Music, Dancers and Artists, and Thousands of other New Yorkers in Costumes of their Own Creation in the Nation’s Most Wildly Creative Public Participatory Event in the Greatest City in the World!

Late June - The world's biggest Pride event kicks off with a rally and ends with a parade, street fair and dance.

Mid-July. The weeklong festival features hundreds of tap dancers who perform and give workshops.

Ten days in mid-Sept Boisterous event in honor of the patron saint of Naples, held along Mulberry St. The saint's statue is carried through the streets with donations of dollar bills pinned to his cloak.