In the years 1939 and 1964 the World’s Fair grounds in Flushing Meadows Park were packed with people from all over the state and the world. Visitors gathered to experience the Unisphere, Pavilion, food, and entertainment of the future and stood in wonder as some of the state’s greatest landmarks housed thousands upon thousands of people, all within a short period of time.
Before the fair had been finished, it was known as the “Olympics of Progress”, and was dedicated to showing the world how advanced the United States, and technology in general, had become and would become. The fair, which was opened for the first time in 1939, was stationed on the former Valley of Ashes, mentioned several times in literature such as “The Great Gatsby” by F. Scott Fitzgerald. It was a large wasteland that took up space, and for many, was a backyard eye sore. Robert Moses, who was known for his city highway system and was the creator of much of the city’s park system, bought the land through fundraisers and other money deals. He had been successful in the past with such fundraisers and many of his projects were so well respected that they earned him the title of “formidable figure” in the city of New York amongst many people and history books. The fair, however, ended in financial ruin. It did so poorly, in fact, that he was unable to finish the park and his vision for it. With no more money and support, the fair grounds became a financial burden.
Years later in 1964, the fair reopened for the children of those who had attended and loved the first fair, in the new Flushing Meadows Park. Moses could now continue the project and finish his dream of turning Flushing Meadows Corona Park into the city’s flagship park, according to Lisa L. Colangelo. They would, however, need a very large turn out for the event. They estimated that 70 million people would need to come to the second World’s Fair in order for the park to make a profit, and anything less would mean that the fair had once again failed, and it would cause even more financial losses. To achieve such a turnout, Moses planned for the fair to last two years. He also planned to charge the exhibits rent in order to prevent similar financial losses as the last fair.
Due to the recent assassination of President John F. Kennedy, the fair hosted a federal exhibit which paid tribute to the fallen American hero. The late president had his own exhibit around the pavilion, while inside there were simulated helicopter tours of New York State, a dining area in a simulated Hawaii, and an American history exhibit with moving seats and screens.
The second fair became the only fair to be held without the BIE’s (Bureau of International Expositions) endorsement because Moses strongly disagreed with their ideas for the fair. In addition, he was accustomed to heading up his projects, and he refused to meet any of their demands. The BIE forbade its members from participating in and attending the fair. Moses was able to go to tourism organizations of various countries thus bypassing their governments, and managed to get some smaller countries to acquire their own exhibits for the fair. However, many larger countries chose not to participate and as a result, the fair did not look as polished as previous fairs, and so the image of the fair was tarnished and nearly ruined. Without the BIE, the fair ended in financial ruin with a 50 million-person turn out. However, those who attended the Fair still had fond memories of their experiences.
Currently the park serves the city and people around the world as a recreational center. The U.S. Tennis Center, an Olympic sized swimming pool, ice-skating rink, theater, and many museums are only some of the parks attractions. It boasts an incredible amount of space which is used for recreational and team sports such as soccer and badminton, and even hosts a wide array of family friendly activities such as a visit to the zoo, or a bike ride around (or in) the famous Unisphere. It has hosted music festivals, sports games, photo shoots, and cultural events. The park has etched itself into the history of the State of New York and has become a symbol of unity among every race that attends it.
