JACKSON HEIGHTS — Elcy Carballo doesn't remember exactly why she first decided to dress Wink, the bronze penguin statue just steps from her 75th Street apartment and office.
"I just wanted to get a smile from people," she said, recalling the first time she dressed it up.
It was July 20, 2006, Colombian Independence Day. A native of Cartagena, she draped the nearly 2-foot statue with a yellow dress dotted with red and blue, like a cheerleader for the country.
It began a nearly decade-long hobby for the real estate agent, who soon after the first instance decided to dress Jackson Heights' unofficial mascot as a boy, for every holiday and occasion, without asking for anything in return.
"That's like my son," said Carballo, 55, a real estate agent and mother of two told DNAinfo in Spanish through a translator. "I adopt the penguin."
Some people, especially her closest neighbors, know it's Carballo who's taken Wink under her wing, but for others, it's been a mystery — until now.
On Saturday, starting at 11 a.m., police — who told an organizer they're big fans of the penguin — will close down a portion of 75th street.
The Jackson Heights Beautification Group will present Carballo with a certificate and give the community a chance to meet her.
Wink dressed up during the 2014 World Cup. (Facebook/Wink, The Jackson Heights Penguin)
Organizer Rodrigo Salazar, a board member of the Jackson Heights Beautification Group, said Wink won an award at his group's "Good Neighbor" award ceremony back in September.
"But nobody was there to accept," he said, which got him thinking about a proper celebration for Carballo and Wink.
Wink — who has been dressed in both male and female clothing through the years — will be decked out in a tuxedo for the party.
Carballo said her mailman gave it to her, and she made a top hat from cardboard and an old tie.
Through the years, Wink has dressed up as everything from Santa Claus to a witch.
Carballo, a huge soccer fan, has dressed the penguin in Colombia, Argentina, Brazil and United States jerseys, especially during the World Cup.
"When Colombia wasn't in anymore, I switched," she said.
The feedback has been mostly positive.
"Some people know me, they knock on my door when the penguin is not dressed," she said.
Although there have been times Wink's clothing has been stolen.
"What are you going to do?," she said.
She has around 50 outfits for the statue, picked up through the years and given to her by friends.
The best part for her is seeing people's reactions to Wink.
From her office desk, she watches tired commuters walking up 75th Street from the bus and subway.
But when many get to Wink, their whole demeanor changes.
"They smile, they take photos," she said. "Sometimes I have a bad moment, I look at the penguin, and I change."
