NEW YORK It was certainly on display on the Upper West Side on Monday during the Twelfth Annual Winter's Eve at Lincoln Square. New York City's largest holiday festival will kicked off with a neighborhood tree lighting ceremony at Dante Park -- but that's just part of the fun.
After the lights went up with famed folk artist Arlo Guthrie and ABC7's own Sade Baderinwa on hand, the sidewalks along Broadway from Columbus Circle to 68th Street was buzzing with performers, street musicians, jugglers, stilt-walkers and other entertainers. The event featured more than 20 live musical acts highlighted by an appearance by Guthrie, as well as the Newark Boys Chorus and the Grammy-winning klezmer band, The Klezmatics; and a show by renowned jazz bassist Christian McBride and his quartet at the Apple Store on 67th Street.
Food enthusiasts indulged in tastings for $1-$5 a taste from more than 30 local eateries stationed under canopies at Columbus Circle. In addition, there was a variety of free activities for the kids, including a performace by Joanie Leeds & the Nightlights at Kids' Central at the American Bible Society, a book reading and signing of "Eddie Shapes Up" with former NYC Mayor Ed Koch, giant puppets from Arm-of-the-Sea Theater and two shows of the Big Apple Circus' "Boughs and Holly: Entertainers Extraordinaire" at Time Warner Center.
Admission to Winter's Eve was free, but people brought their gently used coats or a new coat of any size to help keep local children and families warm this winter and support the New York Cares Coat Drive. New York Cares especially needs children's coats and large men's coats this season to help those in need citywide.
The event was run through the Lincoln Square Business Improvement District. For more information, visit the event website, send an e-mail to info@lincolnsquarebid.org or call (212) 581-3774.
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