Numerous Astoria residents gathered to celebrate Brasil Fest on 31st Avenue.
Photo by Ramy Mahmoud
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In celebration of Brazilian Independence Day, the Queens neighborhood of Astoria hosted Brasil Fest on Saturday, Sept. 5, along 31st Avenue.
Photo by Ramy Mahmoud
Photo by Ramy Mahmoud
Photo by Ramy Mahmoud
Marking the borough’s first-ever Brazilian Independence Day celebration, Brasil Fest was held in Astoria because the neighborhood has the highest population of Brazilian Americans in New York City.
Photo by Ramy Mahmoud
Photo by Ramy Mahmoud
Vendors on hand sold popular Brazilian food, including Pão de queijo and brigadeiro, as well as other artisanal goods and accessories.
Photo by Ramy Mahmoud
Photo by Ramy Mahmoud
Photo by Ramy Mahmoud
Photo by Ramy Mahmoud
Photo by Ramy Mahmoud
Photo by Ramy Mahmoud
Photo by Ramy Mahmoud
There were also plenty of Brazilian musical and dance performances. Other entertainment on hand included various games, interactive activities and more.
Photo by Ramy Mahmoud
Photo by Ramy Mahmoud
Photo by Ramy Mahmoud
“It’s incredible to see all the kids making memories, the vendors selling out, people wearing Brazil shirts, dancing heavily. It’s so worth it,” Festival Organizer Maria Teresa Furtado said. “It gives people a day of celebration. Queens is mixed culture, right? So part of growing up in Queens is celebrating other people and showing up for them. But also it shows that we have a spot here. We belong. The people will come and support us.”
Festival Organizer Maria Teresa Furtado. Photo by Ramy Mahmoud
The 31st Ave Open Street Collective helped put this festival together.
Photo by Ramy Mahmoud
Photo by Ramy Mahmoud
Photo by Ramy Mahmoud
Photo by Ramy Mahmoud
Photo by Ramy Mahmoud
Photo by Ramy Mahmoud
Photo by Ramy Mahmoud
Photo by Ramy Mahmoud
“We helped facilitate the Brazil Fest and make it happen by securing all the necessary permits, helping to promote or offering furniture, and also just noting that Astoria has the biggest Brazilian population in New York City,” 31st Ave Open Street Collective Chair John Surico said. “So a big part of our mission for the Open Street is making sure this Open Street reflects the global culture of Astoria, and really nothing epitomizes that more than Brazil Fest, where you have literally the biggest Brazilian population in New York City here in Astoria. So the Open Street should make room and make space for this amazing culture that’s here. So we’re really excited to put it on today.”
Photo by Ramy Mahmoud
Photo by Ramy Mahmoud
Photo by Ramy Mahmoud
Photo by Ramy Mahmoud
Photo by Ramy Mahmoud
Photo by Ramy Mahmoud
Photo by Ramy Mahmoud
Photo by Ramy Mahmoud
Photo by Ramy Mahmoud