Quantcast

Antics on Atlantic: Fun and food abound at borough’s oldest street fair

Antics on Atlantic: Fun and food abound at borough’s oldest street fair
Photo by Stefano Giovannini

It’s fall’s biggest block party!

Thousands of people flooded Atlantic Avenue for the 43rd-annual Atlantic Antic street fair on Sept. 24, and the borough’s oldest outdoor festival lived up to its storied reputation, according to a first-time attendee.

“It was great,” said Midwood resident Brenda Morales, who brought her two daughters to the festivities. “It was just a really nice time to be down there.”

The massive fair ran from Hicks to Nevins streets and spanned four neighborhoods, including Brooklyn Heights, Cobble Hill, Boerum Hill, and Downtown, drawing huge crowds with its food, live music, and other performances — including an appearance by Mayor DeBlasio, who delivered its opening remarks.

Morales treated herself to a diverse buffet, filling up on Mexican fare, chicken, kebabs, and corn and lemonade from a Colombian vendor, she said.

The day also featured a dumpling-eating contest, where one contestant scarfed down 122 of the doughy delights.

And Morales said that while this was her inaugural visit to the festival — which the Beastie Boys name dropped in their 1989 song “Shadrach” — it certainly won’t be her last, and that she looks forward to attending next year.

Reach reporter Lauren Gill at lgill@cnglocal.com or by calling (718) 260–2511. Follow her on Twitter @laurenk_gill