Source: WeheartNY
June 9, 2015 By Michael Florio
Residents will have the opportunity to celebrate the history of Jackson Heights this weekend.
The Jackson Heights Beautification Group, a community group that works to preserve the neighborhood, will be hosting its 25th annual “Historic Jackson Heights Weekend.”
In recent years, more than 250 people have taken part in the weekend event, according to Daniel Karatzas, the group’s director, who has been with the organization since 1988.
The number of attendees is much larger than the first year, when only a handful of people showed up, he said.
The weekend will kick off with a slideshow Saturday showcasing the history of the neighborhood at 10:45 am at the Community United Methodist Church, located at 81-10 35th Ave.
An exhibition of vintage photographs and memorabilia of the neighborhood will be on display at the church from 10 am to 2 pm Saturday. Both are free to attend.
On Saturday, attendees will also be able to go on self-guided tours through 15 private gardens, surrounded by 1920’s apartments.
“These block-long, park-like gardens are unique to Jackson Heights, and are only open to the public one day each year,” the organization posted on its website.
The garden tour will run from 12 pm to 4 pm on Saturday, with tickets costing $10. Tickets can be purchased at the church and will come with a map of the garden district. A rain date has been scheduled for June 20th for this event only.
The event will continue on Sunday with the organization providing attendees a guided walking tour of the neighborhood at noon.
“The tour will travel through the Historic District, highlighting the apartments, private homes, and commercial and civic buildings that distinguish Jackson Heights from other communities,” the organization posted on its website.
This tour is limited to 50 people.
“We have to limit it to a manageable amount,” Karatzas said.
Karatzas said that those people who plan to attend the guided tour are required to meet by Community Church, at the southwestern corner of 82ndStreet and 35th Avenue. The tour will cost $10.
However, the organization is advising those interested in participating in the guided tour to buy their tickets in advance from Espresso 77, located at 35-57 77th Street and Beaudoin Realty Group, located at 78-27 37th Avenue, Suite 5, Second Floor. Tickets will be sold on Weekdays from 11 am to 5 pm.
Tickets for both tours are being sold as a package for $15.
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