Circus Joins Brooklyn's Atlantic Antic Block Party In 2021 Return

BROOKLYN, NY — The return of Brooklyn's longest-running block party next weekend will include a line-up of new attractions along Atlantic Avenue — including a family circus, according to organizers.

The Atlantic Antic Festival, which stretches from Fourth Avenue to the waterfront, will be held for the first time since before the coronavirus pandemic on Sunday, Oct. 3.

The 10-block festival will mark its "triumphant return" with the addition of the Bindlestiff Family Cirkus, which will bring pop-up performances along the avenue for the first time in the history of the block party.

Attractions will also include performances from Kids Rock for Kids, a Kids Zone on Boerum Place and a line-up of music and dance performances in a variety of genres.

Here's a look at what you should know:

WHAT: Atlantic Antic Festival, the oldest street festival in Brooklyn.

• Bindlestiff Family Cirkus: performances along the avenue, specifically between Hicks and Henry streets.
• Kids Rock for Kids: an energetic and talented group of tweens and teens will be performing between Henry and Clinton streets.
• Kids Zone: located at the corner of Boerum Place, attendees can enjoy the sights of bounce houses, petting zoos, pony rides, a toddler soccer activation, and DIY crafts including slime creation.
• Music and Dance: includes children’s dance performances, R&B, Hip-Hop, Folk, Middle Eastern, a trumpeter, a saxophonist, and an all-female drumming group.
• Businesses: festival-goers can shop and dine locally on Atlantic Avenue.
• For a full list of performances and schedules, please click here.

WHERE: 10 blocks of Atlantic Avenue between Fourth Avenue and the waterfront. Includes the neighborhoods of Brooklyn Heights, Cobble Hill and Boerum Hill.

WHEN: 12 to 6 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 3

HOW: AALDC encourages mask-wearing for all merchants and vendors. The maintenance of six feet of distance and using hand sanitizer will be encouraged during the festival for all participants and attendees. Both AALDC booths will have masks and hand sanitizers available, and the Event Street Team will be handing out masks. If you haven’t gotten your COVID-19 vaccination shot, our sponsor MetroPlus Health will be on-site to perform COVID-19 testing and vaccinations.

WHO: CityMD returns as the Official Community Stage Sponsor for this year’s Atlantic Antic™ Festival. Sponsors include NYU Langone Health, CityMD, Con Edison, Mount Sinai Doctors-Brooklyn Heights, MetroPlus Health, Gramercy Pediatric Dentistry, Crunch Fitness, Brooklyn SolarWorks, NYC Ferry, Alloy, Changing Tomorrow Academy, Dodge YMCA, and more. This year’s Media Sponsors include Schneps Media, Brooklyn Paper, Park Slope Courier, The Villager, Caribbean Life, QNS, amMETRO, Brooklyn Daily Eagle, BRIC, Brooklyn Free Speech, SaveMor Digital Printing, and TGI Office Automation. For a full list of sponsors, please visit atlanticave.org