According to Otey, Bay Ridge’s abundance of parades is due to its immigrant heritage, tight-knit community and family-oriented culture. Bay Ridge tends to be supported by civic and religious institutions that organize the events, he explained, which create a walkable and safe environment.
“We’ve had parades here for the last 70, 80 years on a regular basis,” Otey said. “Many years ago, we had over 10,000 people attend the Norwegian Day Parade. It was the biggest parade in Bay Ridge.”
Attorney, newspaper columnist, community leader and civic organizer Chuck Otey holding the June 14, 2018, Bay Ridge Community Council program. Photo: Wayne Daren Schneiderman/Brooklyn Eagle
In addition to the Norwegian Day Parade, Bay Ridge also hosts the St. Patrick’s Parade, Memorial Day Parade and the Ragamuffin Parade, as well as several street fairs and festivals, such as the Fifth Avenue Festival, Open Streets and Summer Stroll.
Former state senator, councilmember and civic leader Marty Golden said even when residents leave Bay Ridge, they often return to the community for celebrations.
“There is something about the community atmosphere here — the small town in a big city — that is different from any other neighborhood in Brooklyn,” Golden said.
How the Verrazzano Bridge changed Bay Ridge
Many of the festivals, parades and street fairs that Bay Ridge is famous for today grew in size and prominence following the opening of the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge in 1964 — a key gateway between Brooklyn and Staten Island. The bridge brought more visitors, more attention and more economic energy to the neighborhood.
John Quaglione, deputy press secretary for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn, left, alongside Marty Golden. Photo: Wayne Daren Schneiderman/Brooklyn Eagle
Otey said many called the Verrazzano “a disruption.”
“It uprooted 10,000 people, and it literally destroyed the Fifth Avenue Business District,” Otey said. “It was a mess for many years — dirt, trucks moving tons and tons of materials back and forth every day — complete chaos along Ridge Boulevard.”
Although the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge initially disrupted the neighbourhood, Otey believes it was positive in the long-term.
“I’m sure there are still people it doesn’t sit well with,” Otey said. “But at the same time, it did unify so many.”
The impact of the Bay Ridge Community Council 
Artist Vic Cantone’s satirical illustration from the 1970s welcoming all to “our” Bay Ridge. Photo: Chuck Otey
Otey also noted that the Bay Ridge Community Council (BRCC) helped unite the neighborhood’s many groups and organize community events.
While the council, which was founded in 1951, continues to exist in a limited capacity today, its public role has evolved.
The BRCC brings together dozens of local groups, including church organizations, Parent Teacher Associations, block associations and service groups. It helps coordinate activities not only in Bay Ridge but also in neighboring areas like Dyker Heights and Fort Hamilton.
Golden, a longtime participant and supporter of the organization, regularly working with BRCC on neighborhood issues such as zoning, quality of life, traffic safety and local development, called the council “a great organization with some excellent leadership.”
Passing the baton
Former state senator, councilmember and civic leader Marty Golden. Photo: Wayne Daren Schneiderman/Brooklyn Eagle
John Quaglione, former chief of staff and senior aide to Golden, said the future of Bay Ridge’s community life depends on young people preserving the neighborhood’s longstanding traditions.
“It’s about having young people represent their community with pride and vigor and to get them to have the same mentality as people have had for decades,” Quaglione said, who is deputy press secretary at the Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn.
“Ultimately, it comes from parents, the home, schools, and it must continue,” Quaglione said. “Otherwise, all these things are going to die out. It’s imperative to keep the values and traditions alive that have made Bay Ridge as great as it is for so long.”