4 From the Fair
Here are 4 more random pictures from the New York World's Fair, all dated from September 1964.
We are looking at the China Pavilion (with what I believe is the Polynesian Pavilion to our left). As you might expect, China's pavilion celebrates the country's ancient past with bronzes, porcelain and jade items; calligraphy is showcased, as is "Taiwan Today". And yes, you can get yourself some chow mein in their restaurant. 
The Belgian Village was a surprisingly huge part of the Fair, encompassing nearly 4 acres and made up of almost 100 buildings. I think it was bigger than the real Belgium! There were displays of dancers, beer, local artisans, beer, an exact replica of the 15th Century Gothic Church of St. Nicholas in Antwerp, and beer. The lady taking tickets wishes she was somewhere else.
Here is a nice night shot of the "Fountain of the Planets" from the "Pool of Industry". From the guidebook: "About 10,000 tons of water are recirculated during the show and approximately 150,000,000 candle power illuminates the waters with brilliant and changing color-lighting. Fireworks in the display are fired from 464 mortars. Over 1,000 different patterns of water and light effects are produced.". Zowie! 
Same fountain, only during the day you only got music and water. But nature creates its own colorful show in the form of a rainbow!
10 comments:
"Fountain of the Planets" photos are stellar! Love that rainbow! Thanks Major.
Wow, that shot of the Belgian Village reminds me of the east entrance to Fantasyland from Liberty Square at WDW, maybe its the tunnel effect?
Nothing like great pictures of the NYWF. What a fair!
Yep, 1964. Those were the days when "China" meant good little Taiwan, not our current landlords, the PRC.
Nice work on the Belgian village...it really helps the country's image. When you say "Belgium" to me, all I can think of is plywood houses covered in white glitter paint, and tiny round-headed girls herding geese who quack in time to an endless melody...
Very nice shots, as usual. The one of the Republic of China pavilion was taken from Mexico and looks across the Caribbean Pavilion. The Polynesian Restaurant would be out of sight behind China.
The Belgium Villages was indeed huge. It was a virtual copy of the one from the 1933-34 fair in Chicago. Once inside though there wasn't much there other than shops and a carousel, so it was a tad disappointing.
thanks, Bill for answering my question about where that photo was taken from
these are GORGEOUS, as always.
i love a trip to the NYWF. thanks Major :D
Ah yes, this little village introduced us to the 'Belgian Waffle'! It all started here. Yum.
Actually, Belgian Waffles were also served at the 1962 World’s Fair in Seattle, so the 1964-65 NYWF was not the first to have them... check out the following link to the University of Washington library:
http://content.lib.washington.edu/cdm4/item_viewer.php?CISOROOT=/seattle&CISOPTR=2337&CISOBOX=1&REC=1
PS - Great pix Major!
Thanks for the correction, Bill! I wouldn't be surprised if Belgian Waffles were served at the '58 Brussels fair... not sure if I can ever find out though.
Okay, here's the skinny... Maurice Vermersch did indeed introduce 'Brussels Waffles' during the Brussels Fair (score one for Major!), they were served again as 'Brussels Waffles' in Seattle in '62 but it was not until the 1964 New York Fair that they became wildly popularized as 'Belgian Waffles' - evidently to accomodate geographically challenged Americans.
Now we all know more about waffles than we ever cared to know - and the quiz will be next week!
Fun post!
Interesting to see that the 'vacant employee stare' is not just a recent event, but has historical precedence!
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