QUEENS — The World’s Fairs may have been held in Flushing, but Forest Hills wants to help celebrate their anniversary — screening a range of films about the historic events.
During free screenings at the Midway Theater, residents will get a chance to watch documentaries about the fairs, held in 1939 and 1964, in what is now Flushing Meadows Corona Park.
They will also learn more about the fairs' history and discuss the future of the New York State Pavilion, built 50 years ago for the 1964 World’s Fair, the organizers said.
Among the films presented on June 10 will be “World Fair: Picturing Tomorrow,” a short documentary about the 1939 New York World’s Fair by Amanda Murray, which won the Audience Award for Best Short Film at the 2013 Independent Film Festival Boston.
Locals will also get to see “Peace Through Understanding: The 1964-65 New York World's Fair,” a 90-minute film that includes recollections of participants as well as archival footage and photos.
The screening will be followed by a Q&A with the film's producers, according to the organizers.
Stephen Melnick of the Forest Hills Chamber of Commerce, who came up with the idea, said he envisioned an event that would allow the neighborhood, which is “right next to Flushing,” to mark the anniversaries. But he said he also wanted to promote the local theater.
The organizers also invited members of People for the Pavilion, a group advocating for the preservation of the structure, to talk about their efforts to restore the crumbling edifice.
The 225 seats at the theater will be available on a first come, first served basis. “We expect them to go fast,” Melnick said, suggesting that those interested in participating should come early.
In April, the city kicked off a six-month series of events to celebrate the 50th and 75th anniversaries of the 1964 and 1939 World’s Fairs.
On April 22, New Yorkers had a rare opportunity to tour the New York State Pavilion and on May 18, thousands participated in “World’s Fair Anniversary Festival,” held in the park.
The event is scheduled for Tuesday, June 10, at 7 p.m. at the Midway Theater at 108-22 Queens Blvd. Admission is free. Seating is limited. For more information, email: fhchamber@aol.com.
