Flushing Meadows Corona Park

The Daily Plant : Thursday, May 22, 2014

NYC Parks’ World’s Fair Anniversary Festival – The Future Is Now!

On Sunday, May 18th, over 60,000 people turned out to celebrate Flushing Meadows Corona Park’s unique history at our World’s Fair Anniversary Festival. The festivities marked the 75th anniversary of the 1939 World’s Fair and the 50th anniversary of the 1964 World’s Fair with a day of entertainment, good food, and fun, and an evening of free concerts and fireworks.

Music lovers enjoyed an afternoon of live performances by Japanese drummers Soh Daiko, jazz/funk group Yaz Band, experimental folk band You Bred Raptors?, Acapella Soul, Andean band Raices, and the all-female mariachi band, Mariachi Flor De Tolache.

For kids and families, there were 50-cent spins on the historic carousel, strolling magicians from the Society of American Magicians, storytelling and puppet shows, crafts, and a visit from Mr. and Mrs. Met.

NYC Parks’ cultural partners in the park opened their doors so that visitors could view the “Panorama” exhibit and an Andy Warhol retrospective at the Queens Museum, build replicas of the New York State Pavilion out of Legos at the Queens Theatre, and do crafts at the Hall of Science. The Queens Public Library’s “Memory Project” tent invited park goers to scan their World’s Fair photos and record recollections.

Three history tours led by NYC Parks’ Director of Historic Preservation quickly filled up, and more than 400 people signed up for future tours. Approximately 40 Parks volunteers manned information booths and exhibits. The grounds looked great. The flowers were stunning. It was an incredible day.

One of my favorite moments was the ceremony at the Unisphere honoring the late landscape architect Gilmore D. Clarke, who designed the Unisphere . Queens Parks Commissioner Dottie Lewandowski, joined by Queens Borough President Melinda Katz and Assembly Member Margaret Markey, presented Mrs. Clarke with proclamations in honor of her husband, and NYC Parks unveiled a permanent sign recognizing his contribution.

In the evening, Beatles tribute band Liverpool Shuffle entertained the crowds. They were followed by the full Queens Symphony Orchestra’s program of 60’s-era Broadway favorites, classical music, and even a section from a “World’s Fair” suite composed especially for the 1964 World’s Fair. A shower of fireworks followed the last downbeat of the conductor’s baton.

If you missed your chance to share the magic, come to the next Urban Park Ranger tour of World’s Fair sites on Saturday, May 24th, or take a virtual tour of the World’s Fair sites in the park at www.nyc.gov/parks by searching “Virtual Tour of the World’s Fair.” Better yet, make Flushing Meadows Corona Park activities, cultural institutions, zoo and carousel, ice rink, recreation center, lakes, golf course, tennis courts, ballfields, marina, and picnic areas part of your spring and summer.

Submitted by Janice Melnick, NYC Parks’ Administrator

for Flushing Meadows Corona Park.

QUOTATION FOR THE DAY

"The greatest mistake you can make in life

is to be continually fearing you will make one."

Elbert Hubbard

(1856 - 1915)

Know Before You Go

World's Fair Marina

Flushing Meadows Corona Park