July 6, 2015 By Jackie Strawbridge
Manhattanhenge takes an encore this month, and once again Long Island City has a front row seat.
Also known as Manhattan Solstice, Manhattanhenge occurs twice a year as the sun lines up perfectly with the New York City street grid, piercing the island and shining directly through to Queens as it sets.
For the summer’s first Manhattanhenge sunset in May, the Hunters Point Parks Conservancy held an LIC Henge party that saw roughly 200 attendees, according to HPPC president Rob Basch.
The phenomenon returns Sunday, July 12 at 8:20 p.m. The HPPC will throw a party that evening from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. at LIC Landing, located at 52-10 Center Blvd.
As with the inaugural LIC Henge, the event is open to the public and will be accompanied by live music. HPPC will also hold a contest for the best pictures of Manhattanhenge; contestants can post their shots online with the tag #LICHenge.
LIC Landing will sell snacks and drinks, and new and current members of HPPC will receive one free drink.