Jonathan Tisch, Miss New York Teen USA Catherine Muldoon and Tiki Barber kickoff the first Big Apple fest at plaid on East 13th street. Photo by James Edstrom/ Times Square Digital

By Edward T. Callaghan

WO years ago New York ’s sidewalks, plazas and atriums were awash in “a-moos-sing” cows decorated by internationally acclaimed artists, celebs and school children.  After three months they were auctioned off for charity.

This year, thanks to ultimate New York flag-waver Jonathan Tisch, the Big Apple will be decorated with…well…big apples.  Tisch, chairman of NYC & Company Foundation pulled together over 300 local and international artists to decorate four-foot tall sculptures of apples, which will be strewn about the city.

At a Big Apple Fest kick-off bash at the trendy downtown night spot Plaid, Tisch, Nicole Miller and NY Giants star Tiki Barber unveiled some 20 of the wildly decorated sculptures by the likes of Cindy Sherman, Ellen Harvey, Donna Karan, David Humphrey, Jason Littlebrook, Charles Fazzino, Debbie Brooks and Marco.

The tri-level club was packed with celebs from TV, sports and media.  Sipping Apple martinis and munching on Macintoshes were Carson Daly, Christyne Nicholas, cover girl Jessica White, David Proval and Richie Aprile of The Sopranos, Max Weinberg, Liz Derringer, Conan O’Brien, NBC’s Dan Abrams and Brian Williams, and May Pang.

The photographers couldn’t keep up with the requests to be shot beside this apple or the next.  Especially popular was the Time’s Square Apple, complete with the TKTS marquee.

Starting August 15 and running through October 15, the apples will be on display all around the city, a delightful treat to New Yorkers and out-of-towners alike!  In the fall, apple-picking time, they’ll be auctioned off to benefit the Police Athletic League, NYC and Company Foundation and appropriately City Harvest.

To pick out your own apple you can trot all around the city or go to www.bigapplefest.org.

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