Guess who's turning 100? Guess who turns 100? The cute slogan announces one of the most anticipated birthdays in the Big Apple, we are talking about one of the symbols and icons of New York City: Grand Central Station, which this March will become centenary. “Moving us for 100 years” is another of the mottos linked to this birthday, and it is true, the largest station in the world has literally moved New Yorkers and not for 100 years now. There are many events planned to celebrate one of the most fascinating and engaging historical monuments of the Big Apple. So here's one little guide on everything that will happen, not to miss a moment of this great birthday celebrated in style.
- 11th Annual Holiday Train Show (until 10 February 2013, at the New York Transit Museum in Grand Central): This year's annual model train show will be enriched with a miniature of the terminal and accompanied by an exhibition of vintage models and posters that will revive the golden age of rail travel.
- Launch of the book "Grand Central Terminal" (on sale from February 1, 2013): volume that collects over 200 photographic testimonies from the archives and from the official photographer of the New York transport company
- Grand Centennial Celebration (1st February 2013, 9.30am-21.30pm, Main Concourse and other locations in the terminal): A full day celebrating the station's birthday concerts, special guests, presentations, music. It starts with the guests and the official speeches of the celebration, then moves on to the ceremony of handing over the keys with the Vanderbilt family, the delivery of the recognition by the Guinness World Record, up to the presentation of the LEGO replica of the station. It continues with music and dancing in the Main Concourse. Throughout the day (check the times at the individual shops) there will be the 1913 Pricing from Grand Central Shops and Restaurant event during which the station shops will offer specialties at the same price they would have had in 1913. Any examples? Shrimp at 19 cents, Cheesecake slices at 19 cents, 10 cents for an ice cream or a shoe shine, 2 dollars for a silk scarf, 75 cents for a cocktail and many more. But there will also be free giveways of luggage tags, iphone cases, pens, samples, massages, earrings, and food samples!
- Grand by Design (1 February - 15 March 2013, Vanderbilt Hall): multimedia installation which explores and celebrates the history of Grand Central, its role in the transportation industry and its impact on the city.
- On Time / Gran Central at 100 (6 March-7 July 2013, New York Transit Museum in Grand Central): exhibition by contemporary artists with the terminal as a common subject
- Nick Cave: Heard NY (25-31 March 2013, Vanderbilt Hall): first New York installation and performance by the famous artist
- Keeping Time (10 April 2013, 19.00 pm, Vanderbilt Hall): poets and artists celebrate Grand Central through their words
- Grand Central Talks (11 April 2013 12.00, 15.30, 18.00, Vanderbilt Hall): speakers will illustrate the development and construction of the station and its impact on New York transport
- Grand Gourmet - The Flavor of Midtown (May 2, 2013, 19.00pm, Vanderbilt Hall) tastes and tastes from more than 30 bars, restaurants, lounges and various local suppliers.
- Grand Centennial Parade of Trains Weekend (May 11-12, 2013, Vanderbilt Hall, Binari 34-37 and other locations): A rare exhibition of historic trains including the “Most Famous Train in the World” on 20th Century Limited, complemented by activities, performances and shows.
- The Next Level: Photographs by Hiroyuki Suzuki (27 July - 3 November 2013, New York Transit Museum in Grand Central): a photographic exhibition that exclusively testifies the works for the opening of the East Side Access Project to peek behind the scenes of the building of a railway access.
- Grand Getaway Day (May 22, 2013, Vanderbilt Hall): presentation of tourist destinations in the areas surrounding New York City
- Inauguration of access 89E 42nd St after its restoration (summer 2013) and modernization of the external lighting at the station (autumn 2013)
And if all this doesn't seem enough, the station's official website warns that more events will be added to the calendar during the course of the year.
All that remains is to say Happy 100th Birthday Grand Central!
