Norwegian Day Parade brings thousands to Bay Ridge
Velkommen!
The Norwegian word for “welcome” was the greeting one heard most often at the 62nd Annual Norwegian-American 17th of May Parade in Bay Ridge this weekend.
The spectators were as colorful as the marchers participating in the parade. “Nice hat!” a marcher in a Viking hat shouted at George Anderson, who was wearing a top hat bearing the colors of the Norwegian flag as he stood on 77th Street with his wife Phyllis to enjoy the parade. “Thank you!” Anderson shouted back as he gave his newfound Viking buddy a thumbs-up.
Third Avenue was a sea of Norwegian flags on parade day, Sunday, May 18. The march, which celebrates the signing of the Constitution of Norway in 1814, always takes place on the Sunday closest to May 17. Sponsored by the Norwegian-American 17th of May Committee, the march, which is also known as the Norwegian Day Parade, is one of Bay Ridge’s most longstanding traditions.