A few clouds didn’t stop these Ridgites from soaking up one of the last street fairs of the season.
Locals kicked off their weekends with the second and final car-free fair of the summer up Fifth Avenue at the local business improvement district’s Face of Fifth Summer Shindig on Aug. 17. One Ridgite who led his band in serenading strollers with country-pop tunes said that locals came out in droves to enjoy the festivities — even under the threatening skies.
“The weather held out, it was fantastic,” said Tony Travis, who played with his band, Tony Travis and Friends, outside the Bean Post Pub, on Fifth Avenue at 76th Street. “Generally, people had a great time.”
The five-hour event stretched from 73rd to 83rd streets and featured games and activities for kids, a meet-and-greet with local artists, al fresco dining deals, and a silent disco. But one local business owner who set up shop at the event said the best part was catching up with her neighbors as they roamed the streets — without their eyes glued to their phones.
“I love the Face of Fifth, I love people,” said Rosemarie Rizzo, who owns a community outreach organization, Rosie’s Confidence Corner, on 87th Street between Ridge Boulevard and Third Avenue, and handed out free Frisbees and bracelets emblazoned with “be kind” to remind little Ridgites not to be bullies when they go back to school. “When you see them smiling and laughing, and no phones going off, that what makes the festival.”
