Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
Arts & Entertainment
Video: Today's 50th Anniversary World's Fair Lines Were Legendary
By
Jen Carlson
Published Apr 22, 2014
Modified Apr 22, 2014
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Jen Carlson
Published Apr 22, 2014
Modified Apr 22, 2014
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Then and Now (Gothamist)
When the World's Fair opened 50 years ago today, the skies were rainy and protesters threatened to obstruct the festivities. Reportedly many were scared off not just by the weather and demonstrators ("Civil Rights proponents hope to stage a variety of dramatic protests inside the World's Fair at the opening"), but by a threat to pull emergency cords on subways, which was part of the "stall-in" plan:
(Gothamist)
The NY Times reported on April 23rd, 1964: "An attendance of at least 250,000 had been forecast," however, "attendance was 92,646, with 63,791 paid."
Even if critics thought it wasn't as good as Brussels in 1958, eventually attendance did pick up, and over time even the frail, crumbling site of the World's Fair has remained a popular, albeit deteriorating, destination for some. So much so that today, the 50th anniversary, drew massive crowds to the site, as the New York State Pavilion was opened to the public for the first time in 27 years. Check it out:
According to NextCity, by 11 a.m. "the line had crossed the Grand Central Parkway, with a minimum wait time of at least three hours, according to a Parks Department worker on site. Every parking lot near the site was jammed, and officials were trying to direct a massive snake of traffic through the park’s one-lane streets, with limited success. Robert Moses is creating congestion from beyond the grave."
(Gothamist)
What did today's visitors see? We were there, and will have more on our visit soon.
Tagged
1964
50th anniversary
world's fair
original
Jen Carlson
Jen Carlson is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE arts-entertainment
A visit to Art of Play, the Brooklyn store in an animatronic bird beef with Kelly Clarkson
"Kelly Clarkson has put us in danger," says the co-owner of Art of Play.
By
Sonia Rao
Published Oct 13, 2026
The hottest way to show you're an authentic New Yorker is… riding a Citi Bike?
Thanks to Dua Lipa, Kim Kardashian, Timothée Chalamet and more, the rideshare program is having a moment.
By
Lindsay Lee Wallace
Arts & Entertainment
The hottest way to show you're an authentic New Yorker is… riding a Citi Bike?
Thanks to Dua Lipa, Kim Kardashian, Timothée Chalamet and more, the rideshare program is having a moment.
By
Lindsay Lee Wallace
Is NYC’s hottest attraction the free observation deck at 1 Centre Street?
By
James Ramsay
What happens when NYC kids take lessons in rock music? Really good bands.
By
Jayson Greene
Inside a photographer's journey to visit every neighborhood in New York City
By
Sonia Rao
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .