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Bayside ‘Weekend Walk’ draws crowds

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THE COURIER/Photos by Rachel Landau

A multi-block party that closed off parts of Bell Boulevard this weekend drew in nearly 2,000 people, local officials said.

The Bayside Village Business Improvement District (BID) held its first ever “Weekend Walk” on Sunday.

The event took place from noon to 5 p.m. along two blocks of the main commercial corridor from 39th Avenue to 41st Avenue.

It featured free fitness classes, dance performances, music acts and specials offered by businesses, in conjunction with the BID’s second annual “Sidewalk Sale.”

The two events were meant to increase foot traffic on Bell Boulevard and promote the wide variety of businesses on the popular strip, officials said.

“Hopefully, we are going to get exposure,” said Barbara of Empress Travel, one of the many vendors.

“Our neighbors are going to see we are here.”

This was the first time in 20 years Bell Boulevard has been closed off for a community festival, BID officials said.

“It was wonderful. We were really glad to see a lot of families,” said Bayside BID Executive Director Lyle Sclair. “We hope they’ll be coming back throughout the year, and we hope it’ll be an annual thing.”

There are more than 400 businesses and property owners from Northern Boulevard to 35th Avenue, officials said, including long established eateries, beloved bars and a host of stores and professional practices.

“You really get to know what’s available,” said Rosa Denny of Whitestone. “There are so many great things — different services, resources, restaurants. There’s just so much.”

 

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