Summer Streets

Getting ready for New York’s Summer Streets wasn’t much different than any other event: gather up the appropriate amount of samples, promotional materials, and everything else and we’re ready to go.  The catch for this event – we had to be there by 6am before NYPD closed down the streets.

After convincing myself that the clock really did say 4am and that it really was time to get going – i got ready and headed to the office to load up our gelatomobiles.  I met up with LilBella and we made our traffic-free commute into NYC. Upon arrival we met up with our friends from Whole Foods who were short a delivery truck to transport dozens of bags of ice and brewed coffee from their store to the event. Lucky for them our one van was almost entirely empty (except for the freezers) and we lent a hand in getting all their supplies over to the picnic area.

After that we had a few hours to kill before it was time for the ice cream rush. After a quick bite to eat, LilBella decided it was time to catch up on some lost sleep. I seized the downtime as the opportunity to explore what Summer Streets had to offer. Everything from pilates classes and yoga instruction to double dutch and street tennis were getting started on Park Avenue.  Rollerblade was kind enough to offer free skate rentals and well..I couldn’t resist. I skated my way up from 24th street to Grand Central Station and saw NYC in a way you wouldn’t usually get to with out any cars. I took note of the dumpster pools everyone has been talking about – one of the most unique creations I’ve seen in a while.

Before I knew it 10 o’clock was ticking close and it was time to feed the masses. The moment we starting rolling the carts towards our spot, dozens of people started lining up for gelato. So many that the Summer Streets staff brought out the velvet ropes and funneled the line down the block.

Sample after sample was given out to an amazingly diverse group of New Yorkers and travelers.  Entire families came by with their children, couples rolled up on skates, teenagers still with their bike helmets on, joggers, nearby store owners, visitors from the UK and France – you name it, and they were there at Summer Streets enjoying a Blood Orange sorbet or Sicilian Lemon Sorbet.

Ciao Bella will be at Summer Streets for next week on Saturday August 21 from 10am-1pm at the Whole Foods picnic area on the corner of Park and 24th. If you’ve missed us the past two weeks this the last chance to enjoy summer in NYC in a great atmosphere before this amazing weather passes us by.