The Q at Parkside

(for those for whom the Parkside Q is their hometrain)

News and Nonsense from the Brooklyn neighborhood of Lefferts and environs, or more specifically a neighborhood once known as Melrose Park. Sometimes called Lefferts Gardens. Or Prospect-Lefferts Gardens. Or PLG. Or North Flatbush. Or Caledonia (west of Ocean). Or West Pigtown. Across From Park Slope. Under Crown Heights. Near Drummer's Grove. The Side of the Park With the McDonalds. Jackie Robinson Town. Home of Lefferts Manor. West Wingate. Near Kings County Hospital. Or if you're coming from the airport in taxi, maybe just Flatbush is best.

Friday, June 27, 2014

Flatbush BID Street Fair - Sunday!

The Q has never been a huge fan of street fairs, but as they go the Flatbush BID's street fair (from Parkside down to Beverly) is pretty fun, with an especially high quotient of Caribbean good times. My kids just recently discovered "bouncy rides" so we'll definitely be there partaking in that and face painting, both of which happen on our end of the Fair.

The Q has done his best to point out how well run this BID is, currently by Lauren Collins who also runs the Church Ave BID, and how lucky it can be to have one. Perhaps one day the Flatbush Empire|Parkside Merchants Association will become one (though it has a long way to go), because BIDs collect money through the City from landlords to take care of things like hiring people to clean up litter. The guy who picks up around here does an awesome job, and that's why it's generally cleaner and more amiable to foot traffic south of Clarkson. (The section from Clarkson to Parkside is still the most exciting stretch of road in Brooklyn for my money, with a diversity of offerings unparalleled. My pharmacist (Lincoln), my fave shoe store (Sneaker King), my discount store (GEM), my go-to electronics repair man (Voltan), the best baked goodies and Beef Patties (Jamaican Pride), two killer hip-hop boutiques, the craziest most knowledgeable cell phone store, a nutty bargain-with-em odd lots store (Closeout Heaven), the Duane Reade, the driving-school-notary-public, lawyer "A. Shoemaker" and much much more.)

Oh, and from the BID:


Join us Sunday at one of the largest street fairs in Brooklyn featuring hundreds of vendors, rides, live music by Haitian rara band RaRam de NY, dance performances, and free activities:

When:  Sunday June 29 from noon to 6pm
Where:  Flatbush Ave. from Parkside Ave. to Cortelyou Rd.

All day:  Pony rides (betw. Tilden Ave. and Beverly Rd.), carnival rides (at Clarkson Ave. and at Tilden Ave.), face painting (betw. Clarkson Ave. and Lenox Rd.).

Special Activities:
12:00 - 3:00: Stilt Walker extraordinaire Bibi Farber (throughout the fair)
1:00 - 4:00:  Balloon Twisting (throughout the fair)

1:30 - 4:30Haitian rara band, RaRam de NY (corner of Flatbush Ave. and Caton Ave.)
2:00 - 2:45:  Magician Apollo Riego (steps of Flatbush Reformed Church, corner of Flatbush Ave. and Church Ave.)
2:00 and 3:00:  
Dance performances by Cynthia King Dance Studio (Flatbush Ave. and Snyder Ave.)

Street Closures:  Flatbush Ave. from Parkside to Cortelyou will be closed to cars on Sunday starting at 7:00 a.m. and cars will be towed starting on Saturday night. Also, the B35, B41, and B12 buses will be rerouted for the fair.

Like us on Facebook (FlatbushAveBID) for festival updates or contact the BID at 718-282-2500, x79290 or FlatbushAveBID1@gmail.com, or stop by our table on Sunday in front of the Dunkin' Donuts on Flatbush Ave. right off Church Ave. The fair is proudly sponsored by Affinity Health Plan, HealthPlus Amerigroup, and Fidelis Care of New York.

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