PHOTOS: Rain didn’t stop the Fiesta on Graham Avenue

May 20, 2013 Heather Chin
Share this:

Graham Avenue’s grand annual street fair celebrated another year of community fun, family, and entrepreneurship on Saturday, May 18, continuing through the rain to bring live music, tasty treats, festival games, and some great shopping deals to the East Williamsburg, Bed-Stuy, and Bushwick communities.

From 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., oxtail stew and plantains from Pizza Pasta Mexican Restaurant at Siegel Street and huaraches from Antojitos Mexicanos were right at home next to street fair zeppolis and cheesesteaks, arepas, and Queen Big Candy Apples’s sweets. Meanwhile, deals from Shopper’s World and various beauty shops and furniture stores also lined the avenue.

“I come every year and love the music, sales and deals,” said Marta Rivera, who lives a few blocks away on the Williamsburg/Bed-Stuy border. “I get to see a lot of stuff, especially food. It’s nice. I want to volunteer next year.”

Hosting the event — which has been held for at least 13 years — was the Graham Avenue Business Improvement District (BID), whose executive director, Betty Cooney, said that “every year is special because we have a huge community stage and besides entertainment, locals come and volunteer their time, singing, dancing and rapping.” ‘

“It’s live music all day long” for the whole family, Cooney added. “Even if you can’t afford to spend a whole lot of money, you can come down and enjoy the day. There’s something for everyone and not too many people are doing that anymore.”

This year, joining the diverse array of locals were Kings County District Attorney Charles J. Hynes and Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz, who received a Tres Leche cheesecake from the BID and The Princesa Bakery.

Musical acts included folk guitarist Jeff Miller, rhythm and blues band Dry State, the Catahoula Cajun Band, J-Notes, and youth dancers from Brownsville’s Project Mentor.

Sponsors include WellCare, Affinity and HealthFirst.

Subscribe to our newsletters


Leave a Comment


Leave a Comment