By Tatiana Castellanos
As the dreary winter season comes to a halt, the excited buzz of summer grows louder than ever.
Everyone from children counting down the days until school is over to moms overpacking the beach bag are thrilled with the season. Though summer is an exciting respite for Queens, there are days where there is nothing to do but sit inside hoping for a cool breeze.
But not this year.
There are so many exciting events occurring in Queens this year that having fun all summer is inevitable for everyone.
KIDS
The most traditional way for kids to have fun during the summer is camp. The YMCA has locations throughout Queens and offers a variety of different camps. Summer camp can be for daytime or sleep away and is for children ages 2 to 17.
There is a total of four Y sessions throughout July and August. For those families who cannot afford summer camp, financial assistance is offered, but scholarship applications must be submitted by May 18.
Camps range from sports camps to swimming camps and even arts-and-crafts camps. At day camp, children will receive two shirts and a backpack which must be worn every day. Prices range from $250 to $700 per session. For more information, visit ymcanyc.org or call 212-630-9600.
Bring your kids out to Forest Park, where two Movies Under the Stars events will take place. These events feature two children’s movies: “The Lorax” and “Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted.” For free, you can take your little ones to see these movies alongside many other kids while enjoying a beautiful summer night.
“Madagascar 3” will play Aug. 2 and “The Lorax” will play Aug. 6. They will both be at George Seuffert Bandshell in Forest Park, at Woodhaven Boulevard and Forest Park Drive, at 8 p.m. For more information, contact 718-235-4100.
FESTIVALS
For a chance to experience native American culture, go to the Queens County Farm Museum, which will host its 35th annual Thunderbird American Indian Mid-summer Pow-wow. At this three-day event, you will be exposed to dance competitions, native American art, crafts, jewelry and foods.
The pow-wow will be July 26 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., July 27 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. and July 28 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The festivities be at the Queens County Farm Museum, at 73-50 Little Neck Pkwy. Adults pay $10 or $15 for an all-weekend pass and children pay $5 or $7 for an all-weekend pass.
The pow-wow is free to those who obtain Farm Membership PLUS. For more information, e-mail info@queensfarm.org.
The Dragon Boat Festival is coming once again to Flushing Meadows Park on Aug. 10 and 11.
According to an ancient legend, the dragon boat races began in 278 B.C. when an exiled patriot-poet committed suicide by drowning after learning that his home had been invaded. The legend says that local fishermen tried to save his life, but were too late. They did not want fish to eat the poet’s body, so they threw rice dumplings into the water as an offering to the spirit of Qu Yuan, the man who died.
Now, each year on the fifth day or fifth lunar month, thousands of people eat dumplings on the morning of the Dragon Boat Festival and spend the day celebrating.
This year, festivities include an orchestra, dancing teams, music performances, warrior monks that perform martial arts, and an arts-and-crafts tent for kids that will teach how to write calligraphy, rice dolls making, kite making and paper cutting.
To attend the Dragon Boat Festival for free, go to Flushing Meadows Park on Aug. 10 or 11 at 10:30 a.m. where events will last throughout the day.
For more information contact 718-767-1776.
For some fun for the entire family, attend the first World & Music Food International Festival in Jamaica. This extravaganza will be Aug. 24 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
At the festival, you will have a chance to experience several different cultures through food, music and dance. There will be more than 50 musical and comedic performances and many vendors will be present.
This event will be at the Roy Wilkins Park, 172-01 Baisley Blvd.
To buy tickets, visit ticketfly.org. For more information, contact 615-733-2846.
MUSIC
After a long day at work, listen to the Pasofino Social Club, a Latin music band that will be performing July 10, at 7 p.m. in Highland Park. This popular group got its name because, as with every social club, the band is diverse in what they play, performing in several different musical styles such as Caribbean/tropical, salsa, cumbia, Mexican ranchera, bolero, musica del ayer, South American folk and Latin jazz.
The Pasofino Social Club will be performing for free at Elton Street and Jamaica Avenue in Highland Park. For more information, contact 718-235-4100.
The New York Philharmonic will return with its iconic 48th annual Concert in the Parks. This year, Didi and Oscar Schafer will present the five free outdoor concerts.
The Queens free concert will be at Cunningham Park on July 11.
Native New Yorker Alan Gilbert will conduct Dvorak’s “Cello Concerto,” with principal cello Carter Brey as soloist, and Tchaikovsky’s “Symphony No. 5.”
For a chance to hear the best classical music under the stars, go to Cunningham Park on July 11 and enter at 193 Street near 81st Avenue or Union Turnpike The concert will be on the 193rd Street Field. The concert starts at 8 p.m. For more information visit nyphil.org/parks.
These examples are just a few of the compelling events occurring this summer. For a list of all events occurring at parks throughout the five boroughs, visit nycgovparks.org.
