MadParkNews.com, covering New York City's Madison Square Park & Flatiron

For those wondering about the film crews in Madison Square Park this morning, it was for the TV show White Collar.

One of the neighborhood’s favorite events is back – the Madison Square Eats food stands will return to Worth Square (5th Avenue between 24th and 25th Streets) just west of Madison Square Park from Friday, May 3rd until Friday, May 31st. It’s open every day from 11am-9pm and will feature 30 food stands from popular restaurants and food artisans in the neighborhood and around the city.

Here is the confirmed vendor list (stay tuned – we will get the menus as soon as we can)

• Arancini Bros.
• Asiadog
• Bar Suzette
• Calexico
• Charlito’s Cocina
• Dreamscoops Ice Cream
• Eleni’s New York
• Graffiti│Mehtaphor
• Hong Kong Street Cart
• ilili
• La Sonrisa Empanadas
• Macaron Parlour
• Mason Jar NYC
• Mayhem & Stout
• Melt Bakery
• Mexicue
• Mighty Balls
• Mimi and Coco NY
• MMM ENFES
• Momofuku Milk Bar
• Mrs. Dorsey’s Kitchen
• Nunu Chocolates
• People’s pops
• Red Hook Lobster Pound
• Roberta’s
• Seoul Lee Bar B Cue
• Stuffed Artisan Cannoli
• Sunday Gravy NYC
• The Cannibal
• Third Rail Coffee

If you want to see the menus and photos from last year go to Madison Square Eats 2012.

Hester Nights is back starting this Thursday May 2nd for a second year, with food stands in the open air plaza by the Eventi Hotel (851 6th Avenue between 28th and 29th Street). It happens every Thursday this summer from 5pm-10pm, until September 26th.

Each Thursday features different vendors and themes, and here is the current lineup.

Khao Man Gai NY: “serving up one of the most popular Thai street dishes rarely seen in NYC -khao man gai (chicken with rice). This one plate dish of all natural chicken, slowly poached with garlic and ginger, served over fragrant Thaijasmine rice, accompanied by a sauce that balances the four main Thai tastes of sour, sweet, salty, and spicy will certainly be a favorite.”
Deviant Chef: “serving Umami Burgers made from 100% organic grass fed beefmixed with miso, soy and scallions, as well as their signature Schezwan Mabo Burger (Berkshire Pork mixed with black beans, Gochujang & scallions)”.
Foodfreaks Banh Mi’s: twist on the traditional Vietnamese sandwich
Ludlow Pizza: “debuting their made-to-order pies cooked in their on-site wood fire oven”.
La Newyorkina: serving artisanal ice pops
OKO-TA: Savory Japanese Griddle Cakes
Good Eats to Go: Gluten-free, gourmet mac and cheese
Jessy’s Pastries: Peruvian empanadas and Alfajories
Dreamscoops: hand-crafted ice cream
Oaxaca Taco: Southwest Mexican inspired fare
Lizzmonade: freshly squeezed juices
Cake Bites NYC: vegan cake truffles

The March of Dimes parade is today running down Lexington to 23rd Street, and then across 23rd Street to Madison Avenue on the southeast corner of Madison Square Park. March of Dimes “supports programs in your community that help moms have healthy, full-term pregnancies, and it funds research to find answers to the serious problems that threaten our babies.”

More info at www.marchofdimes.com/newyork/events/10248_3134313536.html.

The annual NYC Sikh Day Parade 2013 will take place Saturday and end in Madison Square Park, The parade route runs down Madison Avenue from 36th Street ending at 26th Street on the northeast corner of Madison Square Park. it starts at 12:15 and ends at 5pm.

From their website, “The NYC Sikh Day Parade welcomes participants of interfaith communities, elected members of public office and is open to the public. Everyone is welcome and all are encouraged to attend”. There will also be “free vegetarian food and non alcoholic drinks for every one, spectators included“.

Sikhism is actually considered between the 5th largest religions in the world and while often mis-categorized, is neither Muslim nor Hindu.

The 10th Annual Persian Day Parade happens Sunday, April 14th starting at noon and running from Madison and 38th Street down to Madison and 26th Street. Note that the parade is non-political and not religious-based intended to “celebrate the culture, traditions, and contributions Persians have made to the global community” according the website. It’s apparently the largest Persian Day Parade globally.

Parade Route: Madison from 38th Street down to Madison and 26th Street

There will likely be street closures during this time so please plan your day accordingly.