‘The Pulse of Brooklyn’—The Atlantic Antic

DOWNTOWN BROOKLYN – Yesterday’s smoldering heat was not enough to stop the oldest and biggest festival in Brooklyn– The Atlantic Antic.

At just 12:30pm, Atlantic Avenue was filled with vendors and festival-goers making the most of their Sunday. The Atlantic Antic is a popular street event that celebrated its 43rd anniversary this Sunday, September 24. Each year, there is a different theme, and this year’s theme was “The Pulse of Brooklyn,” to promote the three Brooklyn neighborhoods the festival spans through: Boerum Hill, Brooklyn Heights and Cobble Hill.

“I have been coming here for twenty years,” said Nirmal Debnath, a vendor from Long Island selling plants. “I’m a businessman, I know a good selling place when I see one.”

BKLYNER also got a chance to speak with the organizers, Atlantic Avenue Local Development Corporation (AALDC). According to AALDC, every year they try to get more attractions and vendors. And this year was no different.

“For the first time ever, the Atlantic Avenue LDC has partnered up with Chef One Foods in hosting their 14th Annual Dumpling Eating Contest,” said a spokesperson for AALDC. “Along with the dumpling eating contest, we have added more attractions onto our Kids Zone in offering more family friendly fun for all.”

There was also lots of live music and performances, including one from Batalá New York, which is a part of a global project and includes over 30 bands across the world.

After the performance, children were invited to test out the drums.

But that wasn’t the only thing for children to do.

“We certainly hope that the event will be around for another 43 years and more,” said the spokesperson for AALDC.

Until next year.