The stretch of Graham Avenue going north from Woodhull Medical Center is co−named “Avenue of Puerto Rico” in honor of the neighborhood’s ethnic history.
This Saturday, May 16, the block’s Business Improvement District (BID) will celebrate this heritage with its annual Fiesta. The BID teams up with Clearview Festivals, the city’s largest festival producer, to produce the day−long event, which runs from 10 am to 6 pm and has drawn close to 50,000 in recent years.
This year’s Fiesta will feature live performances by 14 local Latino bands, who will play on the main stage on Graham between Boerum and McKibbin streets.
Vendors selling a wide array of ethnic foods will line the streets, alongside “kiddie rides” for the young ones. All of the BID’s stores will offer sales as well.
Also, representatives from the MTA will be on hand with the agency’s Reduced Fare Passes Van. And Woodhull Medical Center will set up a table for free health screenings.
“This is one of the great community events in this area – we welcome everyone down here,” said Betty Cooney, the BID’s executive director.
“And if you want to do some Latin dancing, this is the place to be place to be. There will be some great music this Saturday.”
The money raised by the fiesta will be used for community improvements and other free local events run in the Graham Avenue BID, which goes from Broadway to Boerum Street.
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