A group of local businesses, artists and merchants gathered along the Red Hook waterfront on July 12 to celebrate the neighborhood and the people that make it special.
The Swedish furniture giant Ikea donated the space in Erie Basin Park, next to the Red Hook ferry terminal, while the supermarket Fairway Market took charge of providing the stage for performers.
The event featured a lineup of dancers, rappers, and rock and jazz musicians, all of whom live in and work in the neighborhood, according to a press release.
A number of local artists and merchants showed up to hawk their wares, but the weather winnowed down the festival crowd early.
By the afternoon a strong wind coming off of the New York Harbor was knocking over vendors’ tents, prompting some to call it a day, one merchant said.
“A lot of people packed up early because of the wind,” said Theo Rocknazz, a sword-smith and three-dimensional artist who has worked on and off in Red Hook for the past four years.
Rocknazz said he didn’t do a booming business, but he isn’t complaining.
“I sold a knife, so it was a good day,” he said.
