Hundreds came out to the heart of the downtown Bronx to join in the festivities at The Hub’s Third Avenue BID Festival, which stretched across Third Avenue from 149th to 153rd streets. Despite the morning rain, the community of the boogie down Bronx celebrated their borough, supported their local businesses and participated in the free family activities throughout the day.
Vendors from the neighborhood and well beyond set up stands to sell clothing, food, jewelry, figurines, music, and even hour long massages, along Third Avenue.
“A lot of people come here,” said Sebastian Ferrer, an employee of King of Candy Apples located in Staten Island, who said he had come to sell his sugary goods at the annual festival numerous times in the past.
“It’s not like Manhattan where people don’t spend money,” said Ferrer, adding he was impressed by the level of participation in Mott Haven. Although Manhattan is where the money is, business is better in the Hub, he said.
“We do good over here,” said Ferrer.
While parents fancied the discounted shopping, children patiently waited in line for free popcorn, balloons, pony rides, and face painting. Jaylin Lugo was one of the lucky girls who had her face painted with a bright pink design once the festival began.
“We used to live around here,” said Yasira Bagan, Lugo’s mother. “We just moved back.”
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