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In this episode, Kelly is joined by John Friia! He is a digital creator, New York City historian and featured on PIX11's New York Living!

Kelly asks John about his New York Story: Where he's from, What kind of content he does, and why he has such a profound interest for New York City History.

Kelly tells us about his time as a balloon handler in the Macy's Thanksgiving day Parade. How he got the position, which balloons he got to handle, and he tells the story about the time he almost got to High Five a Rockette!

Kelly and John give tips about where to go to see the parade the best. Where has the best view, how to go so you can leave early, and where the best place to go to the bathroom is.

John tells Kelly about the history of the parade. When it started, the original parade route, how the Central Park Zoo was involved. John also tells us about the lengthy process that the balloons and floats go through before they can make it to the day of the Parade.

Kelly also tells John about the inflation ceremony, where thousands of people from around the world gather to see the balloons inflated. He gives the listeners tips on the best places and times to see this too.

But above all else; John Friia is a New Yorker!

Kelly Kopp's Social Media:
@NewYorkCityKopp

John Friia's Social Media:
@Here_in_NY on Instagram
@hereinnyc on TikTok

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In this episode, I chat with Arianna Sartzetakis, the creator of Uncover More, a platform that brings local arts, culture, and hidden gems to life. Arianna is, “Your hyper-local guide to experiences around the world,”. Her approach offers a fresh way to explore the NYC & the world.

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In this episode, Kelly is joined by Sifat Razwan! He is a NYC content creator, IRL live streamer and host of The New York City Walking Show!

Join them as Kelly and Sifat talk about how they met! They talk about their content creator friends and how amazing it is to build a community with like minded people who love New York City.

Kelly asks Sifat about his youtube channel. Sifat tells us how his Thanksgiving video changed is career. He talks about his IRL live streams through the city, and his best practices when engaging people during his work. And he talks about Fordham, what it's like, how cool it is, and why people should go visit.

They then talk about Halloween: The different neighborhoods to go to to find the best Halloween decorations. The upper east and west sides, Harlem and even Dyker Heights in Brooklyn. They talk about a few attractions the city has: Boo at Zoo, Jimmy Fallon's Nightmare, Blaze, and the Pumpkin Flotilla at the Harlem Mirror.

Sifat tells Kelly about some spooky areas around the city. The bodies buried under Washington Square park, the asylum turned luxury condos on Roosevelt island, and the screams of a little girl in the Dakota building!

Finally, they talk about the West Village Halloween parade! Their favorite event of the year! learn how to be apart of the parade, join the thriller dance and enjoy the costumed fun!

But above all else; Sifat Razwan is a New Yorker!

Kelly Kopp's Social Media:
@NewYorkCityKopp

Sifat Razwan's Social Media:
@TheNewYorkCityWalkingShow

A travel podcast for women over 45 who want to explore this big beautiful world.

Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify