The 13th annual Shop Forest Hills Fall Festival drew thousands of people to Austin Street Sunday, when residents from throughout the borough spent the sunny afternoon perusing everything from jewelry and clothes to baked goods, and much more, from about 200 area businesses.
The Forest Hills Chamber of Commerce sponsored the festivities, for which businesses up and down Austin Street – and beyond – showcased what they offer, from yoga and music classes to Forest Hills T-shirts. A number of nonprofit groups also set up shop to inform residents about their role in the community, including the Forest Hills Volunteer Ambulance Corps and the Self Help Austin Street Senior Center. Councilwoman Karen Koslowitz (D-Forest Hills) and her staff also had a booth, at which they spoke to residents about a wide variety of concerns or ideas about the neighborhood.
Photos by Anna Gustafson/The Forum Newsgroup
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- Forest Hills T-shirts from Ink Stain Inc. flew off the racks at the festival.
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- Forest Hills Volunteer Ambulance Corps volunteer EMTs Jun Xiao, left, and Felix Cabrera spoke to festival attendees about FHVAC, which has served Forest Hills since 1971 and Rego Park since 1997.
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- Mason Ramirez, 3, of Fresh Meadows was thrilled to spend time with “Abby,” a furry friend who entertained fair goers at the Forest Hills Volunteer Ambulance Corps’ stand. The costumed character is part of the nonprofit Party Pals NYC, which provides entertainment for a variety of events to raise money for a wide range of causes, including the Kidney Foundation and the Brain Cancer Foundation.
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- Yaheli Mordechai, 8, of Briarwood, sits patiently as his face is painted.
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- Children and adults alike had fun on a variety of rides, including inflatable slides.
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- Dominic Groch, 10 months, and his mother, Paulina Balaban, have fun at the festivities.
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- Liel Kalen, 7, left, her father Steven, and brother Stav, 8, of Forest Hills, paint in the booth from the business Plaster Fun.
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- Susan Lane, the arts and crafts instructor at the Self Help Austin Street Senior Center, stands with two of the center’s members, at the booth where they sold a number of handmade crafts. The senior center, located at 106-06 Queens Blvd., offers a class in needle point and jewelry making every Tuesday and Thursday at 1 p.m.
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- Thousands of people flooded Austin Street Sunday for the 13th annual Shop Forest Hills Fall Festival.
