Farmers Market Wraps Up a Thrilling 2024 Season
By Juvie Anne Alfeche,
RISE Public Program Coordinator
RISE’s Rockaway Market Street at Beach 60th closed its 2024 season in style with a lively Halloween-themed celebration! Neighborhood kids showed up in droves to trick-or-treat, making their way through vendor stalls stocked with plenty of candies and treats and setting the perfect scene for festive fun.
The costume contest brought out a creative mix of spooky and spirited getups. A standout family of frightening clowns and skeletons, alongside a teenage ninja turtle, wowed the crowd, which included Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, and judges alike, ultimately taking home the grand prize.
The farmers market atmosphere was enhanced by live music from the RatCatz, a Rockaway-based jazz quintet, whose tunes set a smooth, upbeat vibe for all to enjoy. Their soulful sound added to the magic of the day, creating a memorable farewell to this season’s market.
RISE (Rockaway Initiative for Sustainability and Equity) extends heartfelt thanks to all the vendors who made this year’s market vibrant and diverse. Alomaloni, Blacksmith’s Breads, Cassey’s Cookies and Cobblers, Crazy Ed Art 84, Edgemere Farm, For the Love of Bread, Mudd Mutha Brewz, Mushroom Queens, My Dear Womb, Rockaway Drinks, Rockaway Honeyworks, Sahadi’s, Saratoga Peanut Butter Company, and Sugar Spells by Olivia offered an array of delicious treats and unique finds each Saturday.
The music lineup was equally impressive, with talent showcasing a wide range of styles: Mariachi Real de Mexico, Gabriel Aldort, Brian Smith, Billy Sal with Ron Bongo, Keith Jordan, Dahlia Dumont—The Blue Dahlia, Johnny Cuomo, Giovanni Fernandez-Kincade, Tito Lespier, Jammers Steel, Dark Tide Brass Band, Evan Schwam, Jus Bozza, Brass by the Slice, Patti Blue & the Rockaways, Nick Demopoulos, Joya Bravo, and the RatCatz. Their performances kept spirits high and brought people from all walks of life together in celebration.
This eventful farmers market season was made possible with support from Altman Foundation, NYC Department of Cultural Affairs Cultural Development Fund, and Rockaway residents and visitors. Thank you to everyone who came, shopped locally, enjoyed the music, and made Rockaway Market Street @ Beach 60th a true community hub!
