Jazz Age Lawn Party brings the roaring ‘20s to Governors Island this summer

GOVERNORS ISLAND, N.Y. (PIX11) -- Put on your best flapper dress and boater hat and relive the roaring ‘20s at the Governors Island Jazz Age Lawn Party.

The party runs from Aug. 10 through the 11 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is best accessed by the ferry to Governors Island. Travel back in time to the Prohibition-era, when it was illegal to manufacture, transport, and sell alcohol, but, many still gathered at speakeasies to drink and dance along to jazz music. Tickets for the event are still available online.

The Jazz Age Lawn Party celebrates the New Orleans-born style of music and will feature performances from musicians such as Queen Esther and pianist Peter Mintun. Swing dance troupes will also lead the crowd through some of the era’s trendiest moves like the Charleston, Lindy Hop and the Jumpin’ Jive.

Festival goers will get to learn the Charleston and Peabody themselves and have the chance to win prizes with dance competitions on Saturday. Pastry chefs will also show off their best skills during a pie baking contest and kids will have a chance to strut their stuff during the children’s parade on Sunday. 

In between all those events, visitors can also enjoy a beer garden and 1920’s motor car exhibition as well as old fashioned games like pétanque and croquet.

This year will mark 19 years since musician Michael Arenella and His Dreamland Orchestra founded the Jazz Age Lawn Party.