An upcoming event will make for some very electric and exciting atmosphere in Westchester Square.
On Saturday, June 18, the Westchester Square Business Improvement District will host the eighth annual Fair At The Square, bringing local merchants, business owners, residents, families, children and friends together in celebration.
This year’s Fair At The Square, which will take place on East Tremont Avenue between Silver Street and Lane Avenue (near Owen F. Dolen Park) from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., will include numerous festivities for those in attendance.
Season two of ‘Bronx Idol’, a live singing competition for Bronxites between the ages of 12 and 19, as well as an all-day concert series on two stages, hosted by Dennis ‘Dion’ Nardone of WVOX 1460AM Radio, Valerie Smaldone and Artie Rodriguez of the Diamante Show, will be some of the fair’s highlights.
Platinum salsa musician Frankie Negron will be headlining this year’s event, which being heralded as “bigger than ever.”
The Fair At The Square will be unlike any previous events because the entire stretch of East Tremont Avenue, between Silver Street and Lane Avenue, will be closed off to vehicular traffic, providing attendees carefree access to the fair’s different areas of interest.
Also contributing to the increased excitement for this year’s event is the fact that all local merchants were presented with an opportunity to be involved in the fair while still being able to operate their businesses, which they will accomplish at various designated parts along the fair’s route.
In previous years, merchants had to close their businesses while the fair was taking place if they were involved.
For this year’s Fair At The Square, the Westchester Square BID will also reveal their new logo, which has generated much excitement in the community.
The performers include Elvis impersonator Gene DiNapoli, FDR Drive and Just Nuts. Additional festivities, many of which are free, include bounce houses, face painting, arts and crafts and other activities for children and families in attendance.
“It’s always a very exciting event and always a great time,” said Victor Sabatini from Just Nuts, a 70s and 80s cover band who will perform their new original song, ‘Bronx Girl’, at the event.
“The Fair At The Square is a culmination of everything that takes place in Westchester Square during the year,” said Yasmin Cruz-Opero, CEO and president of Image Marketing, Inc. “Not only does the event acknowledge the area, but it also makes a statement about the area – and it highlights and showcases all of the activity that takes place in this vibrant area.
“We are very grateful for the support of the 45th Precinct and Community Board 10 during this entire process and, of course, we are extremely excited and very proud to be involved with this great event that gives back to the community and its merchants,” she added.
“This event has grown significantly over the years and only continues to expand,” said Lisa Sorin, executive director of the Westchester Square BID, who said this fair is Westchester Square’s signature event.
“We are very excited for the opportunity to have bigger space for this year’s fair while also allowing merchants to promote and showcase their businesses in ways they have not been able to in past year’s events. This event is all about giving back to the community but also about giving back to the merchants who have contributed to this area’s renaissance.”
Sponsors for this year’s Fair At The Square include Hutchinson Metro Center, Metro Optics, Apple Bank, Bronx Council on the Arts, Crescent Companies, Empire City Casino, Havana Cafe, MetroPlus, Montefiore Medical Center, News 12 the Bronx, the Daily News, NYC Parks & Recreation, Rite Check, Turner Construction, Wendy’s, Cappytann’s Corner Presents and, of course, the Westchester Square BID, among others.
Image Marketing, Inc. will produce the event for the second straight year.
