PHOTO: Hundreds of people descended on a section of Jamaica Avenue last Sunday afternoon for the 35th Annual Wonderful Woodhaven Street Festival, sponsored by the Greater Woodhaven Development Corporation. Photos Courtesy of the 102nd Precinct
More than a thousand community members and visitors flocked to Jamaica Avenue last Sunday afternoon for what has become one of the most popular annual events in all of south Queens: the Greater Woodhaven Development Corporation Wonderful Woodhaven Street Festival.
From noon to 6 p.m., the thoroughfare under the el, between 80th Street and Woodhaven Boulevard, was packed sidewalk to sidewalk with rides, games, vendors, entertainers, and of course, revelers. Families enjoyed entertainment that included the Malaysian Lion Dancers, the Mary Lamont Band, and traditional country western line dancing.
Every year the popular event features rides, attractions, an incredible array of food, and entertainment for all ages.
The Forum also sponsored the event, along with area elected officials, including state Sen. Joe Addabbo, Jr. (D-Howard Beach), Assemblyman Mike Miller (D-Woodhaven), and City Councilmembers Elizabeth Crowley (D-Glendale), and Eric Ulrich (R-Ozone Park).
As it does each year, the Woodhaven Business Improvement District also encouraged festival attendees to take the opportunity to support the small businesses on the avenue.
“Why should you go to impersonal malls, with their few salespersons and help-yourself attitudes?” WBID Executive Director Maria Thomson wrote last year in a Facebook message about the Street Festival. “Shop locally in your hometown at the stores and businesses that support our community organizations and contribute towards our BID…and keep our money in Woodhaven during our fair.”
Deputy Inspector Deodat Urprasad, commanding officer of the 102nd Precinct (far r.); Asst. Chief David Barrere, commanding officer of Patrol Borough Queens South (second from r.); and 102nd Precinct Community Affairs Officer Eddie Martinez (far l.) thanked some military veterans last Sunday at the festival for their service to the country.
