Don’t call it Bronx Week anymore.
This year’s celebration of the borough has grown to ten whole days.
And it promises to be the largest and most exciting celebration in the event’s 40-plus year history.
The celebration has been held annually since 1971, when it was called Bronx Day, said Bronx Historian Lloyd Ultan.
This year’s celebration officlaly starts today.
Borough President Diaz said at a kickoff presser on Monday that 120 different and mostly free events will be taking place through to the “grand finale” on Sunday, May 20 at the Bronx Walk of Fame and a parade and festival along Mosholu Parkway.
Joining him was Walk of Fame inductee Valerie Capers, an award-winning jazz musician.
The kickoff featured beer from Bronx Brewery, which recently set up shop in Port Morris, as well as food from Mike’s Deli of Arthur Avenue and Delicioso Coco Helado.
“This is a perfect time for people to discover and revisit the Bronx,” Diaz said.
“We invite Bronxites, New Yorkers, and visitors from all over the world to join us in the Bronx for our annual celebration of what makes the Bronx a great place to live,” Diaz said.
“Bronx Week gets bigger and better every year and has something exciting for everyone,” he added.”I look forward to seeing you all here!”
Also joining Capers as new members on the Walk of Fame on May 20 will be Hip-Hop legend Fat Joe, Hollywood cinematographer Sol Negrin, and supermodel and actor Tyson Beckford.
The event is organized by the borough presidents’s office and the Bronx Overall Economic Development Corp. and its Bronx Tourism Council.
Some of the highlights of this year’s Bronx Week will include the 14th annual Bankers Breakfast featuring keynote speaker Mayor Bloomberg at Villa Barone Manor; the first annual Bronx Solar Economic Development Conference at St. Paul’s Church, and the Fair @ The Square, both in Westchester Square on Saturday, May 12, and the 2nd annual Bronx Film Festival at the Bruckner Bar and Grill at 1 Bruckner Boulevard on Saturday May 12 and Sunday, May 13.
The highlight will be the black-tie Bronx Ball at Orchard Beach on Saturday, May 19; the Bronx Walk of Fame induction ceremony on the steps of the Bronx County Building at 851 Grand Concourse at 11 a.m. on Sunday, May 20; and the 41st annual Bronx Week Parade and festival on Mosholu Parkway on Sunday, May 20 from noon to 5 p.m. The parade will include a concert featuring Hip Hop legend Doug E. Fresh and Salsa stars Los Hermanos Morenos.
“We look forward to a terrific Bronx Week 2012,” said Dr. Steven Safyer, CEO and president of Montefiore Medical Center, the main sponsor this year.
For a complete listing of Bronx Week 2012 events, times and sponsors, visit www.ilovethebronx.com.
