Remembering the 1964-65 World's Fair in NYC

 

Carby the Carburetor

My memories of the 1964-65 Worlds Fair in New York City are very vague. I was a little kid, and the things that stand out were getting to "drive" a white Ford convertible while going through a dinosaur diorama, eating silver dollar pancakes, and my sister being called up on stage to meet Carby the Carburetor in a big auditorium. I also remember someone dressed like Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse walking around the park. 

I know I was small and don't remember much, but I do recall sitting in the back seat of my parents' car as we drove by Shea Stadium – where I would one day attend many NY Mets games – and seeing the Unisphere for the first time. It seemed so massive, and the rest of the buildings were gleaming in the sunshine.

"It's a Small World" ride

I remember all of us doing a lot of walking and riding in the boat for Disney's "It's a Small World." I was fascinated by all the moving puppets dressed in costumes from countries from all over the world. That damned song was stuck in my head for weeks, and then it would be again years later when we took our kids to Disney World. 

Now, what inspired this post is catching a video on YouTube about the World's Fair grounds today. It brought back these memories, and it made me sad to realize how most of the buildings and exhibits that were part of the fair are now gone. What remains is mostly crumbling like the ruins of an ancient kingdom. 

Many drivers today pass on the Grand Central Parkway in their cars and have no idea of what it was like. It was a once magical place swallowed by time. The magnificent Unisphere still remains, as do the memories. I'm sure some of you have memories the 1964-65 World's Fair too. Please share them with the young people in your lives so that they can know about the experience we enjoyed.  

Also, please watch the video below to see how the place looks now and what it was like in the past.