Summer Stroll attracts big crowds in 2nd go-around

July 25, 2016 By Paula Katinas Brooklyn Daily Eagle

Bohemian Rose Salon featured a beach volleyball setting. Louis Burdo, Dean Karis, Nora Abualam, Lara Paikoff and Ahmed Khaleg (left to right) drew a great deal of attention. Eagle photos by Paula Katinas

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The second event in the Summer Stroll on 3rd series the Merchants of Third Avenue group is presenting in Bay Ridge this year went off without a hitch on July 22, despite a heat wave that caused temperatures to soar into the mid-90s.

A 10-block stretch of Third Avenue (80th Street to 90th Street) was closed to vehicular traffic from 6 to 10 p.m., a pedestrian mall plaza was created and people came out in droves to stroll the avenue.

“It came out beautifully, despite the heat. The avenue was packed with parents and kids,” said Merchants Executive Secretary Charles Otey.

Visitors got the chance to stop and listen to live music from the Narrows Community Theater, the cast of the Jeff Samaha Production/Ridge Chorale production of “Hairspray” and rock and roll groups like Tony Travis & Friends. Attendees also had options to dine in an outdoor café or stop by the Book Mark Shoppe at 8415 Third Ave. to meet writers like children’s author Artie Bennett and writer Yona Zeldis McDonough, whose books include “The House On Primrose Pond.”

There were all sorts of eye-catching sites on the Summer Stroll route. The owners of Bohemian Rose Salon set up a sand pit in front of their beauty shop at 8703 Third Ave., put up a net and had young people in vintage-looking bathing suits play volleyball. The Art Room, at 8710 Third Ave., set up a community art project and asked visitors to contribute to it by painting the large canvas.

When the Brooklyn Eagle stopped by Ho‘Brah, a taco place at 8618 Third Ave., owner Tom Casatelli and his staff were preparing tacos and empanadas for diners to enjoy.

There was square dancing in the middle of the street, a Fire Department safety demonstration and lots of civic groups handing out literature at tables.

Bob Cassara, founder of the Brooklyn Housing Preservation Alliance, parked a car built in 1938 near 86th Street to draw attention to his table so he could hand out fliers about the work his group does.

A few blocks away, leaders of the 68th Precinct Youth Council were busy signing kids up for the upcoming fall soccer season.

The Merchants of Third Avenue, an organization representing storeowners on the avenue, has been sponsoring Summer Stroll on 3rd since 2012. There are four Summer Stroll nights each year.

On July 15, the event took place between Bay Ridge Avenue (69th Street) and 80th Street.

Summer Stroll on 3rd is part of the Weekend Walks program of the New York City Department of Transportation, a citywide series in which selected streets are closed to vehicular traffic for a day or a night so that New Yorkers can enjoy outdoor activities.

The next Summer Stroll on 3rd will take place on Friday, Aug. 5, on Third Avenue between Bay Ridge Avenue and 80th Street.