Photos Courtesy Walter Karling
Christian Spencer
In the outdoor area of Astoria Park, just under the Queensboro Bridge near the skating rink, the grounds were alive with activity as the 114th Precinct hosted its annual community fair on Monday, August 4.
Children and families gathered from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on the Great Lawn of Astoria Park, between 19th Street and Hoyt Avenue North, to meet the friendly faces of their local first responders in a lively, welcoming atmosphere.
The event featured stations for face painting, music, and complimentary Coca-Cola products, a proud sponsor of the fair.
Diana Turek, a key organizer, explained, “It’s a celebration for your local precinct. It brings community vendors together so people can meet their neighbors. It’s also about safety — really, it’s National Night Out Against Crime and Drugs.”
This year’s event was especially notable for featuring the NYPD marching band, which performed the Star-Spangled Banner during the opening ceremony, a first for the precinct’s fair.
A Christian puppet show, hosted by members of Eternal Hope Ministries, was also part of the day’s entertainment.
John Kemp, a representative from the church, said the show was impromptu but well-received.
“Kids love to see puppets,” he said. “Sometimes in a setting like this, there’s not always something geared toward their age. So when you see a puppet, it really gets your attention, and that’s beautiful.”
Building strong connections between law enforcement and residents remains a cornerstone of safety and unity in the neighborhood.
“Every time our pastor has connected with the police department, it’s been very positive,” Kemp said. “We also like to communicate to the police how much we appreciate and pray for them because they are key and essential.”
The event drew about 40 vendors this year, including Coca-Cola — participating for the first time — along with RCN, Fidelity Insurance, the Parks Department, the District Attorney’s Office, FDNY, breast cancer awareness advocates Sharon and Karen, At Home Solutions for seniors, and AT&T.
The police rounded out the celebration with a parade that brought smiles and cheers from neighbors of all ages.
Tyler Smith and his wife Paige attended the event together. Tyler shared his thoughts on the festivities, saying, “I showed up during the last 45 minutes, and I thought it was really nice to have live music from the NYPD band. I really enjoyed their performance.”
When asked if the police’s performance helped foster a sense of solidarity, Paige added, “Yeah, it felt like a sense of community.”
The 114th Precinct, which serves Jackson Heights, East Elmhurst, and North Corona, continues its active participation in the National Night Out Against Crime series.
National Night Out Against Crime is an annual event held on the first Tuesday in August when precincts throughout Queens and across the country come together to promote community engagement and crime prevention.
Precincts across Queens held their own events on Tuesday, August 5, to engage communities and promote safety.
