100th Anniversary
Aug. 29, 2017 By Tara Law
The Hell Gate Bridge is celebrating its centennial with a series of community events this fall, including a photo and logo competition and a 5K run.
The events, which are being organized by a committee formed last year to celebrate the 100-year milestone, aim to bring residents’ attention to the role the bridge has played in Astoria’s identity and history.
As part of the festivities, the committee has organized a photo competition where residents compete to have their favorite pictures of the bridge and Shore Boulevard displayed at an exhibit.
The public is being asked to submit and vote for photos in various categories at hellgate100nyc.com until November 26. The location of the exhibit has yet to be determined.
There is also another contest where residents and artists can submit logos featuring the bridge. The best logos will be printed on t-shirts, banners, and on other materials promoting the centennial.
The committee is also calling on the public to send in their memories of life at the Hell Gate, from marriage proposals to bicycle races.
“Everybody and their mother, literally, goes out to the [Shore] boulevard to take pictures,” said Antonio Meloni, the director of the Hellgate Centennial committee. He said people have been doing this for decades and the committee would like to see photos and hear of people’s experiences there.
Meloni has lived in Astoria for most of his life and has admired the bridge since he was a teenager.
The committee also wants residents to notify them if they remember spotting the Hell Gate on film— such as in a movie, commercial, or documentary—and asks them to send a link to the footage.
In addition, on September 9, the Hellgate Roadrunners and the Astoria Post are organizing a 5K Hellgate Run in remembrance of September 11, veterans, and the centennial. Registration is still open for the 5K and a subsequent Kids’ 100 Meter Dash at this link.
A Little Ones Parade for children from PS 122 and 85, Immaculate Conception and St. John’s Prep will be held after the run.
A ceremony to honor veterans and remember September 11 will follow the parade.
Hellgate 5K Fun Run course and schedule of activities (click to enlarge)
