The Rocakaway concessions were already gearing up this past weekend, with Caracas and the 97th Street fam (Low Tide Bar, La Cevicheria, Edible Island, and High 97, etc.) all open on the boardwalk. In addition, the folks at displaced DIY venue Shea Stadium just announced that they’re programming a summer concert series, featuring Bethlehem Steel and other bands and DJs, at everyone’s favorite burger stand, Rippers. Now, the Riis Park Beach Bazaar, over on the Fort Tilden side of the peninsula, has announced its lineup of vendors and programming.
Returning to the Jacob Riis Park boardwalk for the Bazaar’s fifth year are food vendors Rockaway Clam Bar (which will also have an offshoot raw bar this season), Ample Hills Creamery, Cuisine by Claudette, The Meatup Grill, La Cevicheria, Oaxaca Tacos, Two Dudes, and Warung Roadside. This year’s new offerings include “Kentucky-meets-NYC” barbecue from Smorgasburg vendor Carnal; Hawaiian desserts from Brooklyn Shaved Ice; boozy ice pops from People’s Pops, health food from Rockaway-based Fit Food Kitchen; bubble tea and Asian fruit drinks and desserts from Q Tea, an offshoot of Rockaway’s O’sake Ramen House; Colombian arepas from Palenque, which debuted at the 96th Street concession stand a few years ago; and gelato from Red Hook’s Dolce Brooklyn.
To go with those potent, frozen Ginni Hendricks drinks, there’ll once again be weekly parties as well as free live music on weekends and holidays from acts like DJ Alexander Orange Drink of the So So Glos (also playing at Rippers), Bikini Charwash, and Sunnyside Social Club. See here for the whole schedule.
Also in the mix this year are free screenings of movies like Spirited Away and The Princess Bride; the return of Camp Rockaway‘s glamping tents; and Rockaway Clam Bar’s weekly lobster dinner (on Fridays, $33 gets you a 1.5-pound lobster, corn, and potatoes).
Remember that 11 blocks of Rockaway’s beaches, closed due to erosion last summer, will be back in full swing after a $13.4 million replenishment. Construction crews have been hard at work for quite some time, and the sand is looking very inviting right now.