Sunday was a fun day taken to another level in Whitestone.
More than 5,000 people were packed into Francis Lewis Park on Sunday for the 109th Precinct’s second annual Whitestone Family Fun Day.
The festival—co-sponsored by the We Love Whitestone civic group—was fun for all ages but particularly geared toward the youngest members of the community.
Activities included face painting, an on-site balloon artist, two inflatable bouncy houses, fresh cotton candy, a DJ and an NYPD rock wall. The biggest attractions of the day were the pony ride feature and an on-site pumpkin patch with pumpkin painting activities. Additionally, Mets mascot Mr. Met himself made an appearance.
Precinct Community Council President Chrissy Voskerichian said that drawing out so many people effectively gained positive public exposure for the police department. It was the first opportunity to meet local police officers for many attendees, and the station aims to facilitate especially strong relationships with young people to teach them to feel safe in the hands of law enforcement.
“These events are all about community-police partnerships and relationships,” Voskerichian said. “It’s about working together in good times and bad and showing that one can’t exist without the other.”
Assemblyman Edward Braunstein appeared at the event with his wife and newborn son.
“Thank you to the 109th Precinct Community Council & We Love Whitestone for sponsoring Family Fun Day, which was a great event and had a tremendous turnout,” Braunstein said.
According to We Love Whitestone Vice President George Mirtsopoulos, a massive amount of food was provided and served to participants, with a total of 1,500 hotdogs, 800 hamburgers and 500 cupcakes eaten throughout the day.
Mirtsopoulos said that it was a pleasure working and partnering with 109th Precinct Deputy Inspector Thomas Conforti and the 109th Precinct Community Council led by Voskerichian.
“The weather was great and a fun time was had by all,” Mirtsopoulos said.
