Council Member Joann Ariola and the Detective Brian “Smiles” Simonsen Foundation celebrated the peak of the Halloween season with a Fall Festival on Saturday, Oct. 28, in Woodhaven.
Hundreds of parents, kids, and furry pals participated in a full afternoon of a selection of rides, games, arts and crafts, and sweet treats up for grabs at Victory Field in Forest Park. This year’s event also had pumpkin picking, a pet costume contest and a cornfield maze with hay bails, best used for photos.
“This was a great event and I am looking forward to this costume contest becoming another tradition every fall,” said Ariola. “It was amazing to see how the community really came out and participated in the fun.”
The Fall Festival welcomed a gallery of officers NYPD, who all came together to honor the life of Det. Brian “Smiles” Simonsen. The foundation, named in honor of NYPD Det. Brian Simonsen, a 19-year veteran who was shot and killed due to friendly fire while in the line of duty on Feb. 12, 2019, helped bring together civic groups, elected officials and members of the NYPD.
According to the foundation, Simonsen was nicknamed “Smiles” for his contagious grin, cheerful disposition and ability to positively influence everyone he met. He spent his entire career at the 102nd Precinct and the foundation’s mission remains focused on keeping Simonsen’s legacy alive through doing good deeds and spreading smiles.
Also a fierce animal lover, the Detective Brian “Smiles” Simonsen Foundation supports animal rescue facilities, which only furthered participation in this year’s pet costume contest. The winner for this year was a dog named Luna, who was dressed as a Cow. Luna’s pet parents received candy and a $20 gift card to Petco.
See photos from the Fall Festival below.
