Christian Spencer
Children tugged at their parents’ hands as the scent of grilled chicken and sweet funnel cakes drifted down Myrtle Avenue.
Some jumped around with excitement while others perched on the edges of their strollers as parents soaked in the sights and sounds of this year’s Myrtle Avenue Street Fair, a lively block party presented by the Glendale Kiwanis Club.
Money raised from vendor sales and ride admissions supported youth programs and community initiatives like scholarships, youth sports, and neighborhood cleanups, something the civic group has been doing for more than seven decades.
Beyond fundraising, the July 20 celebration was about bringing Queens, and even Brooklyn, neighbors together. It was a moment when local vendors wanted not only to sell but also to share in the fun.
“I just want people to have a good time and enjoy our strawberries and our agua frescas,” said Vanessa Dominguez, who runs La Mera La Coca, offering free samples to entice new customers.
Nearby, Randy Nueva’s booth drew anime fans and curious passersby with colorful plant pots inspired by Pokémon and Studio Ghibli films.
“We do street fairs. We started with animated planters for, like, ourselves, and then people just started asking if we did them, so we started a business, and we sell planters now,” he said about his small business, Nena’s Garden.
While Kiwanis did not hold a booth this year, its presence was felt through its partners. The Myrtle Avenue Business Improvement District helped organize the event, while FDNY and NYPD teams were stationed at key points to ensure safety and smooth traffic flow.
For visitors, the fair was just as much about the experience as the shopping.
“I always go to the fair for food,” said Justin Guiracocha, who enjoyed chicken shish kebabs that reminded him of flavors from his Ecuadorian culture.
His friend, David Quito, mirrored the sentiment, saying the event felt welcoming and lively.
“I felt like it was really an experience that I really enjoyed because everywhere I felt comfortable. There was a lot of police, a lot of family, a lot of people. The food was amazing,” he said.
