QUEENS — Kick off the summer with the annual Forest Hills Festival of The Arts.
The event scheduled for Sunday, June 12, will take place on Austin Street, between 69th Road and 72nd Road, and will fill the neighborhood with live music, rides for kids and shopping opportunities, the organizers said.
“These festivals have grown in popularity over the years and attract tens of thousands of people all day long,” said Leslie Brown, president of the Forest Hills Chamber of Commerce, which organizes the annual event.
This year, the chamber is teaming up with Pop Up New York, a group specializing in refining traditional street fairs by focusing on craft vendors offering artisanal products and gourmet food booths.
“The fair will be a little more upscale this year,” Brown said.
More than 200 vendors, including about 125 local businesses, will offer their goods.
Music and entertainment will also be provided in large supply.
The area around 70th Road, just off Austin Street, will be transformed into a stage, where starting at 10:30 a.m. neighborhood children will be presenting their talent, including demonstrations from local karate and dance studios.
At 1:45 p.m. sounds of the Caribbean will fill the air as singers Conroy Warren and Kaila Powerz will take over the stage.
The music portion of the festival will end with a performance by Bruce Big Daddy Wayne and his Blues and Soul band, The Soul Messengers, who will play at 3:30 p.m. and then again at 5 p.m.
There will also be a number of attractions for kids, like face painting and a bounce house.
The event will take place rain or shine.
