Alumni and old-block associations are how Harlem keeps track of itself, and the annual reunion in a park barbecue area is the format: grills going from the morning, folding tables, music, and people who grew up on the same handful of streets finding each other again. The 116th Street association takes the Marcus Garvey barbecue lawn for a full day. It is a neighbourhood institution rather than a public festival, but the park around it stays open to everyone.
What to expect
Expect a permitted barbecue-area gathering with grills, tents and tables set up from early in the day, amplified music and an all-ages crowd. The rest of Marcus Garvey Park - amphitheatre, pool, playgrounds and the watchtower on the rock - carries on around it. Nothing is ticketed, though the barbecue area itself is reserved for the group.
Good to know
- Marcus Garvey Park is between 120th and 124th Streets in Harlem; the 2/3 to 125th Street is a short walk.
- The barbecue area is permitted to the group, though the surrounding park stays public.
- The park has restrooms, a pool and playgrounds.
- Bring sun protection — the barbecue lawns have patchy shade.
- Paved paths make the area reachable with a stroller or wheelchair.
- The restored Harlem Fire Watchtower is a short climb up the rock outcrop.
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Common questions
Where in Marcus Garvey Park is it?
At the 120th Street barbecue area.
Is the park still open to the public?
Yes — the barbecue area is permitted to the group but the rest of the park is open as usual.
How long does it run?
From the morning through to the evening.
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