Bed-Stuy kicks off holiday season Tree Lighting ceremony
After the successful launch of its Winter Wonderland 2.0 popup Holiday Marketplace, Bed-Stuy Gateway BID, in concert with Van Alen Institute’s Neighborhoods Now program and Wells Fargo’s “Hope USA” initiative, joined forces with Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation for its annual Tree Lighting ceremony.
“The illuminating event kicked off with a strutting performance by The Empire Marching Elite marching band and included inspirational sounds from The Brooklyn Interdenominational Choir,” said Bed-Stuy Gateway BID in a statement.
Hosted by New York State Assemblywoman Stefani L. Zinerman, the family-friendly affair included volunteers from Age Friendly Brooklyn, and seasonal greetings from Bridge Street Development Corporation’s Executive Director Gregory Anderson; Bed-Stuy Gateway BID Executive Director Dale Charles; and Wells Fargo Sr. Vice President Krissy Moore. Music was provided by DJ Barry Blends.
Bed Stuy Gateway BID said its Winter Wonderland 2.0, operates 11:00 am to 5:00 pm, weekends through Christmas, at Restoration Plaza’s Amphitheater.
“Launched during Small Business Saturday, the fresh air popup holiday marketplace offers a warm, environmentally-safe, social-distanced space for local merchants and seasonal vendors to sell their goods and services,” Bed Stuy Gateway BID said.
It said that this holiday season, through its “Hope, USA” campaign, Wells Fargo joined forces with business districts in 16 cities across the country, including Brooklyn, “to help encourage giving hope a hand by supporting small businesses and promoting shopping locally this holiday season.”
“In Bed-Stuy, the ‘Hope, USA’ support has allowed Winter Wonderland 2.0 to double vendor space from last year, create an outdoor dining experience, provide a safe staging area for families to meet, greet and take photos with Santa,” Bed Stuy Gateway BID said.
It said that thanks to the support from Zinerman’s office and the Restoration Plaza, “the Winter Wonderland 2.0 popup holiday marketplace is “providing family friendly seasonal activities and programming.”
Some of the upcoming include an apple ice sculpting and Hip Hop Closet Fashion Show.
This Saturday, Dec. 11, at 10:00 am, Restoration Plaza, with support from Brownstoners of Bedford Stuyvesant, Lion Club, Delta Sigma Theta and Zeta Phi Beta sororities, will host the RFK Memorial Holiday Party.
Bed Stuy Gateway BID said the family-friendly event will take place at Restoration main lobby, and will include kid friendly activities and gifts.
At 1:00 p.m., Zinerman, along with the 56th District People Living with Disabilities Committee, will host a Disability Access Resource Fair at The Restoration Plaza Studio 1 Arts Building, 247 Herkimer St., Brooklyn.
The open forum will include a panel discussion moderated by Deon Jones, kid-friendly fun activities and a special visit from Santa.
Launched in May 2020 by the Urban Design Forum and Van Alen Institute, Neighborhoods Now partners with local organizations leading their communities’ recovery by building coalitions of architects, designers and engineers.
With a grant from Wells Fargo’s Open for Business Fund, Neighborhoods Now will continue throughout 2022 in Bed-Stuy, Chinatown, Jackson Heights, Kingsbridge, the Lower East Side and Washington Heights.
