76-Second Travel Show: “Manhattan Bridge’s 100th Birthday Party”

Episode #015
F E A T U R I N G * 1 8 6 * B O N U S * S E C O N D S

The NYC Bridge Centennial Commission planned the 100th birthday celebrations two months early, for ‘convenience’ per a recent New York Times article (which may have been based on this press release).

The commission’s celebration timing upset us then, and it still upset us enough on its actual birthday — December 31 — that we braved the morning snowstorm to hold a small party for a bridge generally overlooked by its more famous neighbor, the Brooklyn Bridge.

In addition to cake, we crafted commemorative booklets that deemed recipients as a ‘travel hero’ for celebrating on the actual birthday. (Overstock copies will be sold for $150 each next December 31.*)


The party also marked the debut of the first, as we know it, song dedicated — with lyrics — to Manhattan Bridge. We asked local musician Beau Scott Jennings to write one — suggesting something in the vein of Woody Guthrie’s “Grand Coulee Dam” — and he came up with “Manhattan Bridge.” (An abridged version, recorded by the bridge, appears in the video).

Thanks to all the party-goers and to Beau for the great song.

Phil Collins nearly tributed the Manhattan; he used the
nearby Brooklyn Bridge as a backdrop over his
leather jacket in the 1985 video “Take Me Home.”

* not really

About Robert Reid

Robert Reid is a travel writer (Lonely Planet, New York Times, ESPN), travel expert (Today Show, CNN's Headline News), travel videographer (76-Second Travel Show) and travel artist (don't ask).
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8 Responses to 76-Second Travel Show: “Manhattan Bridge’s 100th Birthday Party”

  1. karl says:

    great piece! from a purely selfish standpoint, i love the fact that there is hardly ever anyone walking or biking over the bridge – makes it much easier to run across than the bk or williamsburg bridges. also – that’s an interesting point about the debate btwn eye bar chains and steel wire. didn’t know that 🙂

  2. Rutila says:

    I feel so bad missing the celebration! The snow would not have kept me away under normal circumstances.

  3. Ben says:

    Excellent! Great footage, cuts, narration, song . . .

  4. Lauren Quinn says:

    What a rad, fun day.

  5. Firesales Costa Rica says:

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  6. Cheap Flights to Dubai says:

    Great party with the musical environment, I think this party must been a splendid one.

  7. Natalie T. says:

    This is one of my favourite videos that you’ve done. The song adds a nice touch but the best part is the rope jumping.

  8. Pingback: reidontravel | 44 fun things I did with Lonely Planet

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