Free Summer Events for the Whole Family Announced for Park Slope

The Park Slope Fifth Avenue Business Improvement District (BID) has just announced plans for this season's SUMMER STROLLS, four fabulous nights when a stretch of Brooklyn's Fifth Avenue closes to traffic - and opens for all kinds of local fun and festivities, transforming the street into a giant block party.

Each of the Summer Strolls features its own signature FREE event, says Park Slope 5th Avenue BID executive director Mark Caserta. "We're excited to offer amazing free entertainment to our neighborhood, thanks to the creativity and commitment of our merchant partners. We've got something for everyone - from Shakespeare's Macbeth to a Doggy Fashion Show, a pizza eating contest and for the first time, a Latin dance party."

FREE Events:

- July 15, South Slope Summer Stroll #1 - Expect a crowd of canine fashionistas dressed up and ready to walk the elevated runway at Freddys' 4th Annual Doggy Fashion Show. Canine models and their owners will be able to strut their stuff on the "catwalk" in front of Freddy's Bar (627 5th Avenue). Start time for this popular event is 6pm.

- July 29, South Slope Summer Stroll #2 - In its 5th year producing free Shakespeare in the street, South Brooklyn Shakespeare presents Macbeth in a full production with lighting, amplification and costumes set in a post modern apocalyptic period. Bring blankets and chairs, showtime is 6:30 in front of South, 629 Fifth Avenue between 17-18 Streets.

- August 19, North Slope Summer Stroll #1 - Join Sal and Francis, hosts of the Cooking Channel's Pizza Masters and owners of Artichoke Basille Pizza (59 5th Avenue) for their second annual competitive Artichoke Pizza Eating Contest.

- August 26, North Slope Summer Stroll #2 - Put on your dancing shoes and join the party in front of Yayo's (36 5th Avenue) for our first EVER Yayo's Latin Dance Party with DJ and dancing in the street.

FREE activities at all the Summer Strolls include vintage car show, giant street chess, yoga, Zumba, climbing walls, bouncy house, mini golf, photo booth, bands, kids play (face painting, frisbees, chalk, hula hoops, bubbles) and a pop-up park-in-the-street (a 79' turf lawn unrolled on the street).

These four special events highlight the Summer Stroll program -- four giant block parties when Fifth Avenue is closed to cars and open to drink, dancing, live music, food, fashion and fun. Summer Strolls feature food and drink from local bars and restaurants served open air and outdoor sales from local shops.

Summer Strolls run from 5pm-9pm. South Slope Summer Strolls: Fifth Avenue bet. 12th and 18th Streets North Slope Summer Strolls: Fifth Avenue bet. Dean and Sterling Streets

Founded in January of 2009, the Park Slope Fifth Avenue B.I.D. represents a dynamic commercial and residential corridor whose borders stretch 30 blocks from Dean to 18th Street in the heart of Park Slope, Brooklyn.