Flushing Meadows Corona Park Ready to Host Eight-Hour Anniversary Festival on May 18th

Queens Brownstoner readers have recently seen a lot of propaganda about commemorative events related to the 1939 and 1964 World’s Fairs in Flushing Meadows Corona Park. Well, here comes the granddaddy of them all. On May 18th, the borough’s largest green space hosts an eight-hour extravaganza featuring everything from carousel rides to kiddie crafts to dance performances. The festival phase (1 pm to 5 pm) includes guided tours of the World’s Fair sites, exhibits by local cultural venues, puppet shows, bouncy castles, classic cars, international food trucks and even a visit from Mr. Met. The Queens Symphony Orchestra (below) highlights the entertainment phase (5 pm to 9 pm), which features a concert by the Liverpool Shuffle, a well-respected Beatles tribute band, and a huge fireworks show. Expect some pleasant surprises too, such as Flor de Toloache, the city’s only all-female Mariachi band, and prominent 1964 figures.

Details: World’s Fair Anniversary Festival, Flushing Meadows Corona Park, May 18th, 1 pm to 9 pm, free. Because parking is limited, the event organizers suggest taking public transportation.

Top photo: NYC Parks Photo Archive; bottom photo: Queens Symphony Orchestra

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