Comestevents for October 4-5, 2008

Saturday, 4 October:

Union Square Autumn Fair

Over 200 merchants, including food vendors, offer their wares along Park Avenue South, from Union Square to 23^rd Street.

Park Avenue South (from 17^th to 23^rd Streets), Manhattan
11:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M.  Free.

(212) 809-4900

By train: 6 to 23^rd St;  4,5 (IRT),N,Q,R,W (BMT) to 14^th St-Union Sq
By bus: M1, M2, M3

Cranberry Festival

If you prefer a smaller fair with an old-fashioned neighborhood spirit, this one will suit your taste.  Situated at the western end of Cranberry Street—near The Promenade—this annual festival features food, drink, fun, and games.  Some of the featured attractions include a flea market, book sale, flower sale, apple dunking, pumpkin painting, and live jazz.  Enter the raffle to win a dinner or some other prize.  Moonstruck fans will especially enjoy this venue.

Cranberry Street (between Hicks St & Columbia Heights), Brooklyn Heights, Brooklyn
11:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M.  Free.

By train: A,C to High Street; 2,3 to Clark Street
By bus: B25 to Cranberry Street;
From Manhattan: B51 to Cadman Plaza

Sunday, 5 October:

NYC Oktoberfest

More than 500 vendors help to celebrate the 1810 marriage of Prince Ludwig (later crowned King Ludwig I) of Bavaria to Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen.  One needn't be Bavarian or German to partake in the fun.

Lexington Avenue (from 42^nd to 57^th Streets), Manhattan
11:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M.  Free.

(212) 809-4900

By train: 4,5,6 to Grand Central-42^nd St; E,V to Lexington Av/53 St

Deepavali

Also called Diwali, this annual Hindu Festival of Lights commemorates the return of Rama after his 14-year exile.  New York's second-largest Indian-themed event features regional delicacies, as well as arts, crafts, and dance.  After sunset, fireworks at Pier 16 will light up the sky over the East River.

South Street Seaport, Lower Manhattan

12:00 Noon to 8:00 P.M.  Free.

(917) 301-9333

By train: 2,3 to Fulton St; A,C to Broadway-Nassau
By bus: M9, M15