PSA: Everything you need to Know about Lag Ba’omer in Crown Heights

When Lag Ba’omer falls out on a Sunday, as it does this year, special and extravagant events are planned and organized. CrownHeights.info has complied information pertaining to these events, beginning with the Motzei Shabbos community Bonfire, through the Eastern Parkway Parade, and concluding with the East New York Ave. carnival and fair.

Motzei Shabbos:

Lag Ba’omer in Crown Heights will kick off on Motzei Shabbos at 9:45pm with a community Bonfire lighting in front of the George Wingate High School – 600 Kingston Avenue. The event will feature live music and dancing, with designated areas for men and for women, as well as a limited amount of parking.

See the flyers below for more information.

Sunday:

The Lag Ba’omer ‘Great Parade’ kicks off Sunday morning on Eastern Parkway, with seating beginning at 9:30am. The parade begins at 10:00am.

The carnival and rides will open at 12:30pm and run until 6:00pm. The fair is spread out across East New York Avenue from Brooklyn Avenue to Albany Avenue, as well as on Kingston Ave. from Lefferts Ave. to Maple St. and on Albany Ave. from Lefferts Ave. to Maple St.

Wristbands for unlimited rides and access to all of the activities and shows at the East New York Ave. fair are available for pre-purchase at the NCFJE offices (824 Eastern Pkwy.) between 9:00am and 7:00pm for the rest of the week. The discounted rate for pre-purchase is $10. At the fair wristbands will cost $15.

Visit TheGreatParade.com for more information.

Parking Regulations:

Beginning at 12:01am on Sunday, May 18th, there will be no parking on the following blocks:

• Kingston Avenue between Winthrop Street to Rutland Road until 8:00AM
• Kingston Avenue between Empire Boulevard to Eastern Parkway until 6:00PM
• Albany Avenue between Eastern Parkway and President Street until 3:00PM
• Eastern Parkway between Albany Avenue and Brooklyn Avenue on both service lanes until 3:00PM
• President Street between Kingston Avenue and Brooklyn Avenue until 3:00PM
• East New York Avenue between Albany to Brooklyn until 9:00PM
• Kingston Avenue between Lefferts and Maple Street until 9:00PM

You can expect major traffic delays on the following streets beginning from 6:00am through 3:00pm:

• Eastern Parkway
• Empire Blvd.
• Nostrand Ave.
• New York Ave.
• Troy Ave.

Anyone with questions or requiring special arrangements (within reason), please call the 71st Precinct Community Affairs Office at 718-735-0527, or email vincent.martinos@nypd.org.

Security:

The organizers of the Great Parade and the NYPD would like to assure everyone that security precautions have been taken to make sure that The Great Parade proceeds safely and securely. The parade staff has discussed the security of the event with the NYPD chief of Brooklyn south.

A significant number of police officers will be present, security will be bolstered, and there will be a sweep of the parkway before the event.

There will be no knapsacks, backpacks, luggage or large bags permitted to the Parade route, and anyone wishing to cross through will be subject to a bag check or will be redirected around the event.

Here are a few guidelines to follow:

• From Motzei Shabbos at midnight and on, all unattended personal objects on the parade grounds will be confiscated and disposed of.
• Large items and bags such as backpacks and suitcases will not be allowed onto the premises during the parade.
• The police have also urged us to remind everyone to follow the guidelines, maps, and instructions that The Great Parade will be providing.
• Finally, “If you see something, say something.” Alert the police or security personnel if you see any suspicious activity.

Lag Ba’omer Great Parade Seating Map. Click on images to enlarge.