The Manhattan Bridge, the youngest of the four East River Bridges, will celebrate its 100th birthday on Sunday, Oct. 4. Organized by the New York City Bridge Centennial Commission, the celebration will include a parade of historic vehicles, walking and bike tours, and public discussions on the history and construction of the bridge. It will be capped by a firework display just north of the bridge by Grucci of NY at 7 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 3

2 p.m. — 4 p.m. Walking Tour led by Adrienne Onofri over the Manhattan Bridge to Vinegar Hill and DUMBO. Meet at the southwest Corner of Canal Street and Bowery, Manhattan.

Sunday, Oct, 4

7:15 a.m. Bike Tour led by Michael Miscione, which will start on the steps of Borough Hall in Brooklyn and will join up with bridge parade at 9 a.m.

9 to 11 a.m. Centennial Ceremonial Parade by Invitation Only with Manhattan and Brooklyn Borough Presidents and other dignitaries, featuring vintage automobiles, NY Chinese School Marching Band, US Merchant Marine Academy Fanfare Trumpeters and an FDNY fireboat multi-color salute.

Noon. Reception with refreshments in Confucius Plaza provided by Chinese Community Organizations, 33 Bowery, Manhattan, 2 p.m. Dedication of Manhattan Bridge Centennial Time Capsule at Confucius Plaza, 33 Bowery.

7 p.m. FIREWORKS by The GRUCCIS of New York — East River Park Amphitheatre, north of Manhattan Bridge.

Manhattan School of Music Brass Quintet will perform at entrance to park at Jackson and Cherry streets, Manhattan.

Monday, Oct. 5

6:30 p.m. Lecture — “Miss Manhattan, Miss Brooklyn and their creator, Daniel Chester French� with Brian Tolle, sculptor, and Karen Lemmey, Metropolitan Museum of Art Historian, at NYU-Poly, 5 MetroTech Center, Main Floor, Brooklyn.

Tuesday, Oct. 6

6:30 p.m. “The Manhattan Bridge - History, Construction & Safety� with Michael Miscione, Manhattan Borough Historian; Henry Perahia, deputy commissioner NYC Department of Transportation; and Sam Schwartz at NYU-Poly, 5 MetroTech Center, Main Floor, Brooklyn.

Wednesday, Oct. 7

6:30 p.m. Lecture — “Bridges of New York� by Phil Eng, State Department of Transportation, at the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association of NY, Conference Room, 62 Mott St., Manhattan 6:30 p.m. “Manhattan Bridge in Major Motion Pictures� at the Pace University Multi-Purpose Room, 1 Pace Plz.. Entrance location at Spruce Street, Manhattan.

Thursday, Oct. 8, 2009

2 p.m. Lecture — “Engineering, Construction and History of the Manhattan Bridge� by Dave Frieder at the Brooklyn Historical Society, 128 Pierrepont St., Brooklyn. $6 admission; free to members of the Brooklyn Historical Society.

6 p.m. “Art Along the Way: Masstraniscope with Artist Bill Brand.� Transit Museum, Boerum Place and Schermerhorn Street, Brooklyn. $5 admission.

Friday, Oct. 9, 2009

6:30 p.m. Panel Discussion on the Manhattan Bridge by Robert Olmsted, ASCE; Michael Miscione, Manhattan Borough Historian; Sam Schwartz; Jim Rasenberger, and Sewell Chan, reporter for the New York Times. NYU-Poly, 5 MetroTech Ctr, Main Floor, Brooklyn.

6:30 p.m. Reception by Manhattan Borough President for Exhibit of Historic Photographs Municipal Building, 1 Centre St., 19th floor Conference Room, Manhattan.

Saturday, Oct. 10, 2009

10 a.m. 90-minute bike tour sponsored by Transportation Alternatives, led by Noah Budnick. Meet at Grand and Allen streets at redesigned Allen Street Mall, Manhattan.

Sunday, Oct. 11, 2009

10 a.m. Walking Tour with Bernie Ente and David Frieder in conjunction with Open House New York. Meet at Canal Street and Bowery, Manhattan.

Noon. “Losing the Bridge� — 90-minute walking tour with Sam Schwartz in conjunction with Open House New York. Start at Confucius Plaza, 33 Bowery, Manhattan.

1:30 p.m. Transit Museum Workshop for Children, “Bridge City: Manhattan Bridge Turns 100.� Boerum Place and Schermerhorn Street. Free Admission for Members, $3 for Children and $5 for Adults.

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