Parkchester Condominiums | Bronx, New York
70th Anniversary Celebration and Reunion: Saturday, May 15, 2010
Revision 6.40
These photos provided by Hank de Cillia from the early years of Parkchester's Recreation Department.
Maypole Dance in Ballfield Don B-Ball Award Summer Pageant in Ballfield c.1951
Recreation Staff
Wading Pool in East c.1950
Doll Contest
Costumed Group
Basketball in the North Field
Chorale Group in Ballfield c.1951
Indian Pageant
Recreation Winners |
Update Saturday - 29 May 2010 A HD video and a photo collection of the May 15, 2010 70th Anniversary Celebration and Reunion have been posted on this website and is available for selection and viewing from this page or the home page main menu. We continue to work on the reproduction of Parkchester, The Grand Old Neighborhood on DVD. Update Sunday - 16 May 2010 We had a great turnout and the weather was wonderful. We hope all of you that attended really enjoyed the day. For those who were unable to attend as well as for those who would like a souvenir of the event, the documentary, Parkchester, The Grand Old Neighborhood, will be available for purchase on DVD from this website. We also took hundreds of photos and hours of video of all the 70th Anniversary Celebration and Reunion events which will be posted on this website after editing and conversion for the web. We will announce more information after May 24, 2010. Date: Times/Activities: 11 AM to 3PM – ARCHIVAL PHOTO EXHIBITION NOON to 12:30 PM – OPENING CEREMONY 10 AM to 5 PM – FAMILY AND CHILDREN SPECIAL EVENTS 4:00PM - Tour of St. Raymond's Schools 5:30PM - Masses at St. Raymond's and St. Helena's Churches
Due to the overwhelming interest in the Parkchester Reunion and 70th Anniversary event, as well as numerous attendee requests, we decided to move the event date into May, relocate some of the activities more centrally in Parkchester and add some new ones. The event date is: Saturday, 15 May 2010. The change was made in expectation of better weather; but also to accommodate the many former residents who spend the winter down south and don’t return until early May. We hope former and current residents alike will participate in the many activities planned for this big day. • At 10:30AM, the first showing of “Parkchester, The Grand Old Neighborhood” will start at the American Theater. The approximate 45 minute documentary will run continuously until 3PM, on the hour. • At 11AM, the upper lobby will open for the photo exhibition. Former residents can congregate there or out on East Avenue, which will be closed to traffic and parking that day. • At Noon, we’ll hold an Opening Ceremony in the South Quadrant Oval behind the movie theater. Various Bronx dignitaries will be introduced, selected former and current residents will be recognized, and the 70th anniversary will be commemorated. • After 1PM, following the Opening Ceremony, a gala celebration for former and current residents will start in Metropolitan Oval, which will be closed to most auto traffic. • Food, drink, music and entertainment will be available and the party will continue through the afternoon until 5PM. • During the day, other activities will be taking place around the complex. Please check the soon-to-be-issued Program Guide for late details. Keep in touch with the Parkchester website (www.parkchester.org) for more information. Additional Comments about the Parkchester
• The decision to use the American Theater instead of the St. Raymond’s facilities has several advantages. First, we are able to hold the event when we expect better weather (St. Raymond’s facilities are not available in May.). Second, all the day’s activities will be in closer proximity to each other and attendees will be able to move easily from one to another. Third, many former residents are retirees and they do not return from winter vacations until early May. Now they will be able to attend. • There are no charges for any activities, but you are encouraged to register to let us and your friends know you will be there (click on “Reunion Registration Form” in toolbar). However, reserved seating will not be available for the documentary presentations. Attendees will be admitted on a “first come, first seated” basis. Once seating capacity has been reached for a showing, other attendees will be asked to come back for the “next showing”. • If the American Theater’s upper lobby reaches capacity for the photo exhibition, admission will be controlled so as not to exceed the maximum capacity set by the FDNY. Please note, however, that East Avenue outside the Theater will be closed to parking and traffic that day. Attendees will be able to congregate on East Avenue and the tented area in the South Quadrant Oval, as well. Light food services will be available in and near the Theater on East Avenue. • A commemorative DVD of the historical presentation will be on sale through this website. Further details to follow. • Please help us in promoting this event to your family and friends who also lived in Parkchester. You can direct them to the Parkchester website at www.parkchester.org for current and updated information as the event nears.
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