By Forum Staff
The World-Famous Roots Crew will headline “Queens Day” on Sunday, July 20, in Flushing Meadows Corona Park adjacent to the Unisphere, Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. announced on Friday.
Leading up to the performance by the popular “Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” house band will be a full day of pop-up Queens Day family-friendly activities, other concerts, global cuisine courtesy of Queens Night Market vendors, giveaways and more, Richards noted.
Some of the free activities offered courtesy of Queens Day co-hosts NYC Parks, the Alliance for Flushing Meadows Corona Park and other partners include all-ages tennis programming led by the United States Tennis Association, soccer clinics courtesy of New York City Football Club, canoe excursions on Meadow Lake led by the Urban Park Rangers and free mini-golf for kids at the Flushing Meadows Golf Center.
Additionally, Queens College’s Kupferberg Center for the Arts will bring student performers to commemorate the borough’s Jazz Trail with daytime concerts. The Queens Museum will host outdoor art making activities on its lawn, the Queens Public Library will station a mobile library center at the Unisphere and Maloof Skate Park will be activated for a special skateboarding event with the Harold Hunter Foundation.
“I couldn’t be more thrilled to bring Queens Day back to Flushing Meadows Corona Park this year, headlined by a free performance from Questlove, Black Thought and the rest of The Roots — one of the most legendary bands in the world,” Richards said. “This event is a testament to the vibrant spirit of our borough and our commitment to providing accessible, high-quality cultural experiences for all Queens residents. I’m deeply grateful to all our public and private sector partners for their work in making The World’s Borough the entertainment and cultural capital of our city.”
Prior to Queens Day, critically acclaimed Queens-based artist DJ Rekha will bring their thrilling Basement Bhangra Beyond festival — meshing hip-hop, dancehall, jazz and electronic music — to Flushing Meadows Corona Park on Saturday, July 19 at 6pm. Headlining the third annual festival will be popular Punjabi vocalist Rashmeet Kaur, while Brooklyn-based trumpeter Sonny Singh, British-Bengali jazz musician Tara Lily and others will also perform.
“Bringing Queens Day back after more than 20 years is a monumental occasion for our borough and a highlight of our summer programming,” said NYC Parks Queens Borough Commissioner Jackie Langsam. “This event truly highlights the unique character of Queens, offering a diverse range of activities that reflect the rich tapestry of our communities. We are excited to welcome everyone to Flushing Meadows Corona Park for a day of fun that celebrates our past while looking to a bright future.”
“Queens Day is an amazing way to spotlight what makes our Borough special,” said Flushing Meadows Corona Park Administrator and Alliance for Flushing Meadows Corona Park Executive Director Anthony Sama. “This event is an opportunity to bring our diverse community together and celebrate what unites us. It is exciting to see all of the local institutions opening their doors to the public and doing their part to make this day unforgettable.
