Neither rain nor wind could keep Brighton Beach residents from dancing, singing and standing together in unity during this year’s Family Fun Day, held on May 4 along Coney Island Avenue from Brighton Beach Avenue to the Boardwalk.
Organized by the Brighton Beach Business Improvement District in partnership with FREEDOM FM 104.7, the festival was a joyful showcase of local talent, cultural pride and community spirit — even under gray skies.
This year’s event carried added meaning as it honored the New York Police Department and the Russian American Officers Association for their service and dedication to the Brighton Beach community. Members of the officers’ association accepted citations on stage and thanked organizers, acknowledging the strong bond between law enforcement and the people they serve.
Also recognized was Ray DiMaria, crime prevention officer with the NYPD’s 60th Precinct, for his ongoing work with local residents. His presence, along with that of other honorees, underscored the event’s themes of respect, appreciation and civic unity.
Several elected officials attended the event to speak, present honors and citations, and show their support. Among them were Assembly Members Michael Novakhov and Alec Brook-Krasny, City Council Member Inna Vernikov, and Olga Fiore, representing state Sen. Jessica Scarcella-Spanton. Their remarks highlighted the importance of cultural celebrations like Family Fun Day in strengthening community identity and cooperation.
Throughout the day, local performers brought music and movement to the rain-slicked stage. Young dancers from Brighton Ballet impressed the crowd with their poise and precision, while students from the Yellow Train Children’s Music Studio, led by Vitaly Volodin, filled the street with joyful tunes from Brighton’s youngest talents. Vocalists Stella Beyder, Dustin Diasamidze, Anton Gerasimenko, Mila Nitich, Nelly Katz, Anastasia Baast, Misha Botsman, Aleksander Butov, Ellina Graypel and Oleg Sleptsov kept the energy high with passionate performances that drew cheers and applause.
In a moment that captured the spirit of the day, Assembly Member Novakhov jumped on stage between acts with a mop to dry the floor, drawing laughter and applause from the crowd. The spontaneous gesture earned him cheers and good-natured praise from onlookers, some calling him “a true servant of the people.”
The crowd also included familiar faces, among them Guardian Angels founder and former mayoral candidate Curtis Sliwa, who greeted attendees alongside members of his red-bereted patrol. The Guardian Angels moved through the festival, shaking hands and exchanging smiles as they engaged with the community — undeterred by the rainy weather.
Dozens of vendor tables lined the avenue, hosted by neighborhood businesses and community groups, including a warm and welcoming booth from the Georgian community. Festivalgoers lined up for hot dogs, burgers and sweets — many of them served by Brighton’s own Eugene NY, who generously handed out thousands of meals throughout the day.
“Few people know what it takes to pull something like this off,” event organizer Yelene Makhnin said. “Permits, sponsors, artists, sound, logistics, stage crew — it’s a mountain of work that somehow becomes a beautiful event.”
She expressed her gratitude to the FREEDOM FM radio team, the Brighton Beach Business Improvement District, city agencies, the mayor’s office, the NYPD and the many volunteers and workers who helped bring the day to life.
Even as umbrellas dotted the crowd and puddles filled the pavement, the smiles never faded.
“Thank you, people, for the smiles, the gratitude, the good mood,” one organizer said afterward. “Despite the rain, there were far more bright, sunny moments.”
