ABSTRACT
In many cities when public plazas, parks and streets are closed to traffic, they offer enough space and flexibility to host a rich variety of free festive events and festivals that engage adults and children in games and other activities, promote local artists and performers, create lively neighborhoods and enrich the sense of community. This use of public space is evident in Downtown Brooklyn and the Brooklyn neighborhood of Dumbo. For instance, Willoughby Walks is a series of live musical performances, art-making, games and street performances held on the commercial thoroughfares of Willoughby and Lawrence Streets on three consecutive Wednesdays in May. The Downtown Brooklyn Arts Festival (DBAF) and the annual Dumbo Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony are two more established annual festivals.
This chapter describes some of these festive events, giving close attention to Willoughby Walks. The chapter examines how the events that are part of Willoughby Walks are planned and managed, the challenges that are faced in doing so and the public’s responses to them. Information is drawn from observations of the events themselves and interviews with staff members of Downtown Brooklyn, the organization that hosts the events. Public social media was also analyzed to understand the role of those platforms in attracting people to such events. The chapter shows how people do not need a reason to celebrate. They will join the party, take part in different activities and organically revitalize the community and the neighborhood when the right setting for public use is created.
