THE BRONX — Bronx Week 2015 kicks off on Thursday, bringing dozens of events to the borough that range from an empanada eating contest to the annual Bronx Walk of Fame induction.
The 11-day event runs from May 7 through May 17 and begins with the Centenarian Celebration at 11 a.m. in the Villa Barone Manor, where Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. will honor Bronxites who have lived for 100 or more years.
"The month of May is a very special time in The Bronx, as we get set to celebrate the 44th Annual Bronx Week," Diaz said. "We have so much to celebrate in The Bronx these days, as our borough continues to grow."
The Bronx Walk of Fame induction ceremony will take place on May 17 at 11 a.m. on the steps of the Bronx County Building at Grand Concourse and 161st Street, where NBA legend Dolph Schayes, actress Stacey Dash of “Clueless,” actor Malik Yoba of “Empire,” and Delicioso Coco Helado founder Alfredo Thiebaud—who will be posthumously inducted following his death in September—will receive street signs bearing their names.
Other highlights at this year's Bronx Week include:
►The 17th Annual Bankers Breakfast: President and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York William Dudley will deliver the keynote address at this gathering of more than 400 business professionals, where this year's theme is "Investing in The Bronx." (May 8, 8:30 a.m., 737 Throggs Neck Expressway, tickets required)
►Empanada Eating Contest: One of the events at this year's Stadium Street Fair will be a competition to see who can eat the most empanadas in one minute, with the winner receiving a gift certificate from the host restaurant Empanadas Monumental. Street fair attendees will also have the chance to purchase Mother's Day gifts and postcards of the nearby Mickey Mantle, Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera murals. (May 9, 10 a.m., Yankee Stadium, free)
►Blazing Bronx Beer: Culinary daredevils will get a chance to try some Hot Pepper Cask Beer at The Bronx Brewery, a drink made by a collaboration between the brewery and Bronx Hot Sauce. The event will also feature live music and a taco buffet. (May 9, noon, 856 E. 136th St., free)
►The Annexation of Marble Hill: A group of patriots from The Bronx will meet for drinks at McGoo's Pub before marching up the hill at 225th Street and Jacobus Place to claim Marble Hill for The Bronx. Hecklers are welcome to attend. (May 9, noon, 5602 Broadway, free)
►Bronx Fashion Week: The second annual celebration of fashion in The Bronx will feature a VIP cocktail reception and runway show at the Old Bronx Borough Courthouse. (May 9, 5 p.m., 878 Brook Ave., tickets required)
►Old School Hip Hop: Rappers including the Sugarhill Gang, Biz Markie and Grandmaster Melle Mel will give performances during a concert at the Lehman Center for the Performing Arts. (May 9, 8 p.m., 250 Bedford Park Blvd., tickets required)
►Bronx Veterans Appreciation Day Breakfast: Diaz and The Bronx Veterans Advisory Council will pay tribute to the borough's former and current members of the armed forces. (May 11, 10 a.m., invitation only)
►Bronx Health Day: A series of fitness events will take place throughout the borough, including Zumba in Joyce Kilmer Park, informational sessions on nutrition at the Montefiore-Moses Campus and classes on how to start a garden at Healthplus Amerigroup in Longwood. (May 15, all day, various locations, free)
►African Nations' Cup: This soccer tournament has Bronxites from various countries in Africa compete against each other for a shot at the title. (championship game May 16, 12 p.m., 161st Street and River Avenue, free)
►Bronx Week Parade: This annual display of Bronx pride features celebrities, sports teams, civic groups and more marching along Moshulu Parkway to celebrate the best of the borough. (May 17, 12 p.m., Moshulu Parkway East and Van Cortlandt Avenue, free)
A full calendar listing of events can be found here.
