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n e w s A P R I L 18 L E h a V R e Readers share their World’s Fair memories As the grand opening of the World’s Fair Festival approaches, The Queens Courier is digging up memories of the 1939-40 and 1964-65 World’s Fairs. The World’s Fair experience is still fresh in the memories of our readers, and many have shared their stories. Mary Maggio was 8 when the 1964- 65 World’s Fair was being built. “My dad worked in street lighting, so I was actually there before it initially opened up,” she said. Maggio and her mother would go the site to bring her father dinner. “It wasn’t open yet, but it was going to be open soon. I saw construction workers and electricians preparing for the fair.” Maggio spoke of the enthusiasm of everyone in Electchester, which was built for electrical workers, where she grew up. “We all couldn’t wait because it was something spectacular,” she said. “Our parents were there for the ‘39 fair, so they instilled in us — the second generation — that excitement by talking about it.” She remembers the Carousel of Progress at the General Electric pavilion; the Vatican pavilion, which Maggio had to visit with her parochial school; the giant U.S. Royal Tires Ferris wheel; and a water show. “The water show had people on Jet Skis and a clown who either opened or ended it,” she said. “I sat toward the front so I’d get splashed because it was so hot.” It’s a Small World “stuck in my head,” Maggio said. “When I went to Disney World as an adult, I got there and the one pavilion I went to was Small World — and it was closed for renovation!” WORLD’S FAIR SUBMISSIONS CALL Did you or someone you know attend the 1964-1965 New York World’s Fair at Flushing Meadows-Corona Park? If yes, The Queens Courier is asking you to share your memorabilia and/or memories with us to commemorate the event’s 50th anniversary this April. You could win a dinner for two. Please email your entries to editorial@queenscourier.com with the subject line “World’s Fair Anniversary” or to Editorial, 38-15 Bell Blvd., Bayside, NY 11361. Note: All photos/items become property of The Queens Courier. 18 LEHAVRE courier | APRIL 2014 | WWW.QUEENSCOURIER.COM Photo courtesy of readers Joe and Helen Tabone World’s Fair Postcard Photo courtesy of reader Dean Psomiades. Photo by Bill Psomiades.


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