The Myrtle Avenue Street Festival brought vibrant energy to Ridgewood on Sunday, May 4, as hundreds of residents turned out for an afternoon of community celebration, family fun, and local pride—despite gray skies and the occasional drizzle.
Organized by the Myrtle Avenue Business Improvement District (BID), the festival stretched from noon to 6 p.m., transforming the normally busy avenue into a pedestrian-only hub of music, food, games, and entertainment. More than 200 merchants and vendors lined the street, offering everything from health services and handcrafted goods to carnival games and hot grilled food.
“It’s a great day for the neighborhood,” said local resident Carol. “Even with the sun not coming out, everyone seems to love the day.”
Live music was a central feature of the day, with Joe Fuoco’s Music Center providing continuous performances from 12 to 5 p.m. at Herman Hochberg Plaza. The local music school, a staple in the community, drew enthusiastic crowds who swayed and sang along under umbrellas and pop-up tents.
“The music really helped with the rain,” joked festival-goer Anthony. “It was like a party in the street for a while.”
Families with children flocked to the festival’s dedicated kids’ area, where bouncy castles, colorful rides, and carnival games provided endless entertainment. Young festivalgoers walked away with armfuls of prizes and smiles, while parents enjoyed the chance to relax and take in the day’s festivities.
From 12 to 4 p.m., auto enthusiasts enjoyed a unique treat: a display of vintage and custom vehicles parked along the avenue, courtesy of the East Coast Car and Riviera Owners Association. Highlights included an impeccably maintained Checker Cab that drew curious looks and plenty of photos.
Books and learning were also part of the festivities thanks to the presence of the Queens Bookmobile, which operated from 12 to 4 p.m. The mobile library offered free books, library card sign-ups, and information about upcoming programming, making it a popular stop for families and readers.
Festivalgoers also had the chance to connect with numerous local businesses and organizations. Among those represented were Nick’s Barbershop, NYC Taxi and Limousine Commission, Mark Medical Care, Anthem, Healthfirst, and Maspeth Federal Savings Bank.
Other booths included the NY Islanders hockey outreach team, The Right Shop, NY & Atlantic Railway, Queens Mobile Library, Friends of the Ridgewood Library, Boro Wide, and local artisans like Knot Just Sawdust and Knot Just Crocheted.
“It’s a good way to support local vendors and learn about the community,” said Dana. “Days like this really show what the area has to offer.”
The festival wouldn’t have been complete without the mouthwatering smells of food being grilled and cooked throughout the afternoon. Attendees lined up for hot sausages, kebabs, roasted corn, funnel cakes, and other street festival favorites.
Though the weather was not quite ideal, the community spirit was anything but dampened. The event served as a lively reminder of the neighborhood’s resilience, camaraderie, and commitment to celebrating local life.
