Celebrate National Barbie Day at the YMCA
By Katie McFadden
Barbie is an icon that has transcended generations. On March 9, 1959, Barbie made her dazzling debut at the American International Toy Fair in New York, and the doll has remained a beloved toy since, celebrated in everything from songs to movies and more. And on Saturday, March 8, in honor of National Barbie Day, all are welcome to hop in their convertibles and head to the Rockaway YMCA (207 Beach 73rd Street), which will be transformed into Barbie’s Dreamhouse, to celebrate with an afternoon of fun activities.
The Rockaway YMCA and Theresa Racine of Xtreme Measure invite everyone—girls, boys, and adults—to take part in their National Barbie Day celebration from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. on March 8. Everyone is encouraged to dress in the best Barbie look, as a costume contest with prizes awaits, and there will be plenty of photo opportunities, especially with a photobooth as part of the fun, so start getting those Barbie costumes ready for next week.
All are also encouraged to bring their creative side as there will be plenty of arts and crafts projects. Guests will be able to create their own Barbie glasses and bling them out with bedazzles and rhinestones around the frames, creating a unique Barbie look. Then everyone can make their own Barbie seashell art using Barbie napkins and Mod Podge glue to transplant Barbie’s imagine inside a shell. Canvases will also be available for those who want to paint.
With DJ Rhythm Selector spinning Barbie tunes and top hits, get ready for a dance party. Veronica Caicedo will also be able to show folks a few moves at a Zumba class. Then towards the end of the event, everyone is welcome to join for a tea party, with a selection of teas served in tea sets, plus snacks like grapes, crackers and more. At that time, the winners of the costume contest will be announced. Three judges will be walking around the event, looking for the best or most unique Barbies and Kens. Young Barbies can win special Barbie dolls or accessories like Barbie cars. Boys can win remote-controlled cars. And adults who get into the spirit can win tea kettles. There will also be a raffle for a kids’ vanity set.
On a first come, first served basis, young guests will also go home with Barbies, mostly secondhand, but revamped, thanks to generous donations from community partners. Racine says she received donations from St. Rose of Lima Church, Ocean Bay Resident Council, Lisa G who donated bedazzling supplies and John Cori, who gave a donation. “I run with the help of community partners,” Racine said. And with the help of the YMCA, next Saturday’s event will be free to all and not just members of the YMCA.
Racine was inspired to bring a Barbie party to Rockaway after attending a Barbie event at The Copacabana in summer 2023, as excitement grew for the release of the Barbie movie featuring Margot Robbie. “It made me so excited. I’m gonna be 60 but I want to be a kid again, and I love to dress up. It’s like when we have Poseidon’s Parade, everyone likes to dress up,” Racine said of the experience, where she and fellow kids at heart wore their best Barbie looks. After all, it brings back memories of her childhood. “I had a cousin who would come over the house and we’d always play Barbie. It was an escape from actual life. I also used to go to my aunt’s house and would go up to her attic and she had tons of dolls. The only thing she told me not to touch were the porcelain dolls, but she let me touch the Barbies. So around the holidays, my cousin and I would go up to the attic filled with dolls and play with everything,” she said. While she doesn’t collect Barbies anymore, Racine still enjoys Barbie-themed events and wanted to share that joy with those in Rockaway.
“I think everybody loves to get away from it all sometimes. Everybody wants to escape, and Barbie is whatever you want it to be. She’s White, Black, Asian, Hispanic, she can do and be everything. She’s inclusive. Barbie is something from my childhood that has followed me into adulthood and makes me feel like a kid again, and I want everyone to experience that,” Racine said. “This is for everyone—moms, dads, children, boys, girls, anybody that wants to come that loves Barbie or Ken.”
So, kids who are just discovering Barbie and kids at heart who hold her dear to their heart, are all welcome to the Rockaway YMCA on Saturday, March 8 to be a part of Barbie’s world. And don’t forget, costumes are encouraged!
