Here’s a list of all the special events and ongoing events this month at Prospect Park, Brooklyn’s favorite greenspace:
Special Events
Twilight Tour, July 2, 6:30−8:45 p.m., $30, Audubon Center at the Boathouse: Start the evening with wine and cheese then tour the Park’s majestic Lullwater on our electric boat, Independence. After your ride, an Audubon naturalist will lead an evening Bat Walk. Reservations required, limited availability. Call 718−287−3400, extension 102 .
July 4th Holiday Weekend: Pedal Boats, Carousel, Electric Boat Tours, Tennis Center, Audubon Center and Lefferts Historic House, open every day, July 3 −5.
Eagle As Icon, July 4−5, 12−5 p.m., free, Audubon Center at the Boathouse, kid−friendly: Known as a symbol of strength, courage, and pride, the eagle is one of our country’s most recognizable icons. Learn more about its role in shaping our nation’s identity through a panel exhibit and presentation by an Audubon Naturalist at 4 p.m.
Declare Independence, July 4, 1−4 p.m., free, Lefferts Historic House, kid−friendly: Come celebrate our nation’s 233rd birthday in 18th century style. Make yourself a fancy plumed hat, pick up a quill pen and write your John Hancock on a reproduction of the Declaration of Independence.
Freedom Strut, July 5, 1−4 p.m., free, Lefferts Historic House, kid−friendly: On July 4, 1827 slavery ended in New York, and it was celebrated the following day. For many years after, July 5th was a day for parades and fancy dinners to commemorate New York emancipation. Decorate your clothes as many freed slaves did and parade through the Lefferts Farmyard.
Morning Birdwalk: Taking Wing, July 5, 8−10 a.m., free, Audubon Center at the Boathouse: This is the time of year when young birds outnumber adult birds. Join Prospect Park in search of fledglings as they test their wings. Led by the Brooklyn Bird Club. Audubon Center.
62nd Annual Macy’s Fishing Contest, July 15−19, free, daily, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Audubon Center at the Boathouse, kid−friendly: The R.H. Macy’s Fishing Contest has been a tradition in Brooklyn since 1947, giving thousands of kids the opportunity to learn about fishing and aquatic ecology. The contest is open to kids 15 and under, with equipment and instruction provided. Come out to win prizes daily. Individuals may sign up at the contest, but groups must call 718−287−3400 extension 102 in advance to register. Sponsored by the Macy’s Foundation.
New York Philharmonic, July 15, free, 8 p.m., Long Meadow, kid−friendly: Mozart. Beethoven. Stars. Fireworks. The perfect summer evening.
Fish Of Our Waters, July 18−19, free, 2:30−3:30 p.m., Lefferts Historic House, kid−friendly: On the occasion of the Macy’s Annual Fishing Contest, Lefferts takes a look at Brooklyn’s fishing history. Sheepshead Porgies were once so thick along the shores of Brooklyn that Sheepshead Bay is named after them. Learn to clean and dress porgies, and cook them up with heirloom herbs at an outdoor hearth.
Celebrate Brooklyn!
All events take place at the Prospect Park Bandshell, entry at Ninth Street and Prospect Park West. Suggested donation $3. For more, go to www.briconline.orgâ„celebrateâ„.
• Obie Juan BermudÉz; Cucu Diamantes; Rebel Diaz: July 2, 7 p.m.
• Dance. STREB: Invisible Forces, July 9, 8 p.m.
• Los Amigos Invisibles; Aterciolepados, July 10, 8 p.m.
• Ezra Jack Keats Family Concert. They Might Be Giants with reader Claudia Marshall, July 11, 4 p.m.
• Kronos Quartet; Luminescent Orchestrii, July 16, 7:30 p.m.
• The Robert Cray Band; The Sweet Divines, July 17, 7:30 p.m.
• African Festival with King Sunny AdÉ; Freshly Ground; The Mandingo Ambassadors; Cheikh M’baye & Sing Sing; Abena Koomson and Yasser Darwish, July 18, 2−9 p.m.
• Dance. Stephen Petronio Company, July 23, 8 p.m.
• Buckwheat Zydeco & The Holmes Brothers, July 24, 7:30 p.m.
• Kailash Kher; Electro Morocco, July 25, 7:30 p.m.
• Burning Spear; Naomi Shelton & The Gospel Queens, July 30, 7:30 p.m.
Summertime Story Telling Events
Ezra Jack Keats Story Hour, every Saturday, July−August, 2−3 p.m., free, Imagination Playground, kid−friendly: Gather ’round Peter & Willy, the statue of two beloved Keats characters, for storytelling adventures. Sponsored by the Ezra Jack Keats Foundation.
Daydream, every Saturday & Sunday through July: Saturday, 11 a.m. and Sunday, 2 p.m., free, Imagination Playground, kid−friendly: PLG Arts’ production of “Daydream,” adapted from “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” tells the story of a group of construction workers who come to rehearse a play in the Park when they stumble upon a battle between the King and Queen of the Fairies.
Free post−show activities. Children can bring a bathing suit to play in the fountain after the show. Seating is on the ground. For more, go to www.plgarts.org or call 718−393−7733.
Summer Songs & Stories, begins July 12, and runs every Sunday, July−August, 2−3 p.m., free, Lefferts Historic House, kid−friendly: Storyteller Tammy Hall brings the age−old art of storytelling to Prospect Park. Gather round and be engaged by tales from around the world.
Ongoing Events
Discover Tours, every Saturday & Sunday, 3 p.m., free, Audubon Center: Take a walk with one of our naturalists to watch for animals, and investigate little−known facts about the Park and its animal residents.
Introduction to Bird Watching, every Saturday, 12−1:30 p.m., free, Audubon Center: Look, up in the sky, it’s a bird! But what kind? Take a tour and learn about the magnificent array of birds that call Prospect Park home.
Science Power Hour, every Saturday & Sunday, 1:30−2:30 p.m., free, Audubon Center: Join a naturalist at the Audubon Center for cool science activities. A new experiment every month. Kid−friendly.
Nature Babies, every Monday, 10−11: 15 a.m., Prospect Park Audubon Center: Delightful nature−themed music, storytelling, and crafts program for 18−month to three−year olds and their caregivers. Classes fill−up quickly. Call now to sign up for the eight−week Early Summer session (now to June 29). Drop−ins welcome. Kid−friendly. For more, call 718−287−3400 extension 104.
Nature Crafts, every Saturday and Sunday, 1−3 p.m., free, Prospect Park Audubon Center: Looking for something to do with the kids? Teacherâ„naturalists at the Audubon Center are available each weekend, leading structured, fun, and engaging arts activities for children. Kids create toys, puppets, and more, using all−natural materials — and it doesn’t cost a thing. Kid−friendly.
Lefferts Historic House: Special Second Floor Tour, every Saturday and Sunday, 1−3:30 p.m., Lefferts Historic House, free: Significant artifacts from 19th century family life, including a collection of engraved silver spoons and the Lefferts Family Bible with birth, marriage & death records, are all on view. Peek into Femmetie’s Room, a fully furnished 1820s bedroom for a view of history not to be missed. Viewings every half hour, in groups of 10.
Early AmericanCrafts & Games, every Saturday and Sunday, 2:30−3:30 p.m., Lefferts Historic House: Imagine yourself in the past. Learn games, pastimes and tasks that were common 150 years ago. Kid−friendly.
Sewing Club, every Friday, 1−3:30 p.m., free, Lefferts Historic House: Learn basic sewing techniques and create a patchwork quilt of your own at this intergenerational drop−in program. Bring your own project or start something new. All skill levels welcome. Lefferts Historic House. Kid−friendly.
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