Scenes From Roosevelt Island Shops On Main Street Block Party - Nisi Restaurant Pancake Easting Contest, Sanctuary Silent Disco, Island Om Yoga, Gallery RIVAA Art & More - A New RI Tradition Begins

Let's hope that like Roosevelt Island Day, Fall Arts Festival, Halloween Parade and Holiday Tree Lighting, a new annual tradition has been begun for Roosevelt Island - the Nisi Restaurant Pancake Eating Contest.

Start of Nisi Restaurant Pancake Eating Contest at Roosevelt Island Shops on Main Street Block Party @TheHudsonCos @craignewmark pic.twitter.com/9RNdzcrpwj

— Roosevelt Islander (@Rooseveltisland) October 5, 2019

The Nisi Pancake eating contest was part of this past Saturday's first annual Hudson Related Shops On Main Street Block Party.

Presented by Shops on Main, Main Street Block Party is the first festival of its kind on Roosevelt Island’s Main Street. The event brings together neighbors and visitors of all ages to celebrate Shops on Main through food, art, festivities and fun....

Main Street Retail Master Leaseholder Hudson Related's David Kramer describes the Shop On Main Street Block Party:

Anything we can do to throw a party, help the retailers out bring people on to the streets and sidewalks....

... It's great to see people on the streets of Main Street and hopefully it'll keep up. We have a bunch of new tenants who are working to open up their spaces we have some new tenants whether it's Pup Culture or Hotpot and so our hope is that Roosevelt  Islanders will continue to reinvest in their retail corridor.

Here's more from the Nisi Pancake Eating Contest



and interview with Nisi owner Alex Razaghi who says he would like to make it an annual event.



The winner of the first Roosevelt Island Pancake Eating contest was a young visitor from Brooklyn, Rufus Burns-Heath, who outlasted all the other competitors while working on his plate with numbers 10-12 pancakes served. Rufus received a Nisi $100 gift certificate for winning from Alex.

There were lots more activities during the Shops on Main Street Block Party.

Roosevelt Island's new event space/restaurant The Sanctuary hosted a Silent Disco on the Rivercross Lawn:

Roosevelt Island Silent Disco last Saturday during Shops on Main Street Block Party pic.twitter.com/6dis1YTzQL

— Roosevelt Islander (@Rooseveltisland) October 7, 2019

Jax Schott, owner of the not yet open Island Om Yoga Studio hosted Yoga

and Meditation sessions

Island Om meditation on East River waterfront during October 5 Roosevelt Island Shops on Main Street Block Party. pic.twitter.com/mHlJkumEnp

— Roosevelt Islander (@Rooseveltisland) October 7, 2019

with gorgeous view of the East River waterfront.

Gallery RIVAA artists were selling their work

and showing David Kramer the new Island Of Art mural on wall next door the the gallery.

Wholesome Factory showed residents how to make their own mini flower bouquets.

Roosevelt Island Shops on Main Street adds:

Doggie toys and treats at PupCulture / Tastings at Island Wine & Spirits / Mild to hot to sweet tastings at LiuKouShui Hot Pot Noodle / Arts and crafts for all ages at Gallery RIVAA / Make your own mini bouquet at Wholesome Factory / Free Nail decals + manicures with Roosevelt Nails / Free Empanadas + Lemonade at Bread + Butter / Tastings at Subway Sandwich / Musical entertainment / Face painting and much much more…

The Block Party was well done. Hope to see more events like this in future - particularly the Nisi Pancake eating contest.