Tens of thousands of colorfully costumed revelers partied down on Eastern Parkway from Crown Heights to Grand Army Plaza in Brooklyn yesterday for the annual West Indian American Day Parade with millions of people lining the street. This year's celebration was somewhat muted by Gustav's damage to the Caribbean. Mayor Bloomberg, who led the parade with Gov. Paterson, told the revelers, "We know Mother Nature is a powerful force and there have been some deaths......

Tomorrow is the annual West Indian American Day Carnival and Parade, which goes from Eastern Parkway and Utica Ave. to Grand Army Plaza in Brooklyn. The parade, which attracts millions of people, features floats, dancers and bands that celebrate the cultures of the Caribbean. The festivities are all day--here's a little history about the parade--and expect to see politicians there (last year, Mayor Bloomberg joked he could be considered West Indian because he spends so......

Coney Island's 150-foot-tall spinning mistress, the Wonder Wheel, turns 88 today. One and all are invited to join in on the celebration at Deno's--some events are planned for the anniversary that should be lasting throughout the day and night. As for the history of the Wheel, it's been up and running since 1920 and each year the 400,000-lb. ride is overhauled and painted. Fun fact: "The only stoppage in the history of the Wonder Wheel......

Central Park may be pretty from the ground, but the view from above will give New Yorkers a whole new perspective while taking in "the brilliance of the Greensward Plan, Frederick Law Olmstead and Calvert Vaux's 1858 design." The NY Post reports that starting tomorrow, helium balloon rides will be offered for just $25 a pop.The rides will be offered from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. through Aug. 22, and children 12 and under ride......

Photograph from last year's fireworks by nschaden on Flickr We hope all of you have a happy and safe July 4th. Whether you're enjoying tonight's fireworks display or just a quiet day, take a moment to remember why we celebrate the day. Here's the Library of Congress' site about the Declaration of Independence (you can also read the text here), and the NY Times has an editorial about the meaning of the day. The......

Yesterday, the heat and crowds couldn't keep an estimated 2 million people from celebrating their heritage with the 51st Annual Puerto Rican Day Parade. As one 23-year-old woman told the Sun, "We're all from the island anyways. It's this hot in Puerto Rico, so I come no matter what. Everyone is proud of where we come from." Another spectator who traveled from Massachusetts told the Daily News, "It makes you feel like you're at home......

The festivities commemorating the 125th birthday of the Brooklyn Bridge got underway full swing today with the unveiling of the mysterious Telectroscope at the Fulton Ferry Landing, just south of the bridge at 1 Water Street. The installation's creator, Paul St George, claims to have just completed a forgotten tunnel connecting New York to London and, using giant parabolic mirrors, has reconstructed a Victorian-era optical device enabling people on either end of the tube to......

The most intriguing part of the Brooklyn Bridge 125th birthday party announced last week is the mysterious Telectroscope, located at Brooklyn’s Fulton Ferry Landing near the bridge. In this case the mystery is quite deliberate; the installation’s creator Paul St George has crafted a whimsical back story for the device, which purports to connect New Yorkers with Londoners using giant parabolic mirrors installed in a forgotten Trans-Atlantic tunnel. UPDATE: More photos here. St George......

Brooklyn Bridge circa 1896. The 125th birthday of the Brooklyn Bridge will be observed this month with a five day celebration from May 22nd through May 26th, Mayor Bloomberg and Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz announced earlier this week. Completed in 1883, the bridge opened with a “People’s Day” celebration; for a penny toll the general public was permitted to traverse its span. (A few days later, on Memorial Day, 12 pedestrians were trampled to......

Between 2008 and the end of 2010, six New York City bridges will turn 100 years old, and the newly formed New York City Bridge Centennial Commission will be making sure they're adequately feted. The six centennial spans are the Madison Avenue, Manhattan, Borden Avenue, Pelham Bay, University Heights and Queensboro bridges. The celebrations were announced this morning by Deputy Mayor Edward Skyler and other officials at Tramway Park the base of the Queensboro Bridge.......

As we mentioned last week, Gothamist is turning 5 years old next month! Come celebrate with us at a special show at Union Hall. Here are the details: Movable Hype 12.0 and Gothamist Turns 5! Friday, February 15th, 9pm Union Hall (702 Union Street, Park Slope) Featuring: The Forms, Pattern is Movement and Special Midnight Guests! Deejay Craig Wedren You can buy tickets here for $10. We're also giving a pair away, so if you......

Reader Douglas sent us this photograph of a 14th Street vendor unable to vend various 2008 and New Year's Eve tchotchkes. We've seen these vendors are on many corners, so one probably doesn't need to go too far to find one. And we have to admit that the wacky metallic top hat with LED "Happy New Year" (with a blinking and constant modes) are pretty hilarious. So hilarious that we bought one, along with......