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If you thought Citi Field was just for hot dogs and home runs, think again. On Thursday, August 28, when the Mets face off against the Miami Marlins, the stadium will double as a borough-wide block party celebrating the food, music and culture that make Queens the “World’s Borough.”
Dubbed “A Celebration of Queens Culture,” the evening kicks off on the plaza at 5:30pm with a sensory overload of street food, live performances and community showcases before the first pitch. Think of it as Flushing’s night markets, Astoria’s tavernas and Jamaica’s dance halls all rolled into one.
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Music heads will want to plant themselves near the turntables of Ralph McDaniels, a.k.a. “Uncle Ralph,” the hip-hop pioneer who created Video Music Box back in 1983. His beats will set the soundtrack while the Mets’ own Queens Crew dance team brings the swagger. Expect a burst of Caribbean carnival flair too, courtesy of Jamaica-based CarNYval Dancers, a troupe that’s taken its high-energy soca moves everywhere from Lincoln Center to Times Square.
The food lineup reads like a greatest-hits tour of the borough. Frank’s Souvlaki, an Astoria institution since the ’70s, will serve up char-grilled skewers that taste straight out of Athens. From Long Island City, Dumpling Magic adds Himalayan flavors to the mix, with handmade momos drizzled in sesame sauce and chili oil. And there will be enough global street snacks to keep you debating whether to stick to one cuisine or graze around the globe.
Art and games round out the program. Local talent will be painting live murals, NYC Henna will be inking designs for the adventurous and arcade-style challenges like Pop-a-Shot and Speed Pitch will tempt fans looking to prove their skills off the diamond.
Community groups are in the mix too: the Queens Chamber of Commerce, the Flushing BID and the Queens Economic Development Corporation will be on-site, sharing resources and highlighting the borough’s entrepreneurial spirit.
If you snag tickets through the special offer, you’ll walk away with a limited-edition Queens Culture hat (redeemable before the fifth inning). For one night only, Citi Field isn’t just where the Mets play—it’s where Queens struts its stuff.