Thousands of people are expected at the kickoff festivities at Empire-Fulton Ferry State Park in Brooklyn this evening, featuring a performance by the Brooklyn Philharmonic and a rousing chorus of "Happy Birthday," led by Mayor Bloomberg and Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz.

A colorful lighting scheme will illuminate the bridge every evening through Memorial Day. The holiday weekend will also feature open-air movie showings, walking and bike tours.

The 6,000-foot bridge opened May 24, 1883, and now sees 126,000 cars daily, not to mention all the cyclists and pedestrians.

For WNYC, I'm Isaac-Davy Aronson.