FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT WWW.QNS.COM MAY 23, 2019 • THE QUEENS COURIER 69
A proud mother
vschneps@gmail.com
Last year, I cried with awe
at what my son Josh and
daughter Elizabeth created
when I arrived at the gate for the
fi rst World’s Fare at Citi Field.
Th ere were sparkling white tents
lined up endlessly and the hundred
turquoise blue portapotties
standing like soldiers prepared
for battle.
Th is weekend, I cried with joy
that aft er weeks of rain, the sun
was shining down on us at the
second World’s Fare. It featured
food, wine, cocktails, dancing,
music and merchandise curated
by our team bringing vendors
from around the world.
I was also impressed by the
thousands of visitors who
remarkably refl ected the bountiful
collage of our city.
What an extraordinary accomplishment
it was to bring such
diversity and make it come alive.
Th e slogan on all the marketing
materials was, “Eat. Drink. Shop.
Unite.” And I did, as did all
those in attendance.
We had two entertainment
stages and I
adored the energy radiating
from the dozens
of dancers on
one stage representing
countries from
around the globe.
Joan McNaughton,
who works with
me on sales for the
Long Island Press,
also owns a dancing
school in Rockville
Centre. She had helped
to curate the dancing
groups all stunning in
their costumes and passion
as they danced while delighting
and engaging the audience.
Another bandstand, sponsored
by Major World Auto
Group in Long Island City, sent
music throughout the 900,000
sq. ft . space parking lot facing
our favorite team’s stadium.
I had such fun watching my
grandchildren running from
vendor to vendor, fi nding their
favorite food and drinks, and
wanting to visit again and again.
My 6 year old Hudson delighted
in his vanilla fl avored root
beer from Wild Bill’s Olde
Fashioned Soda Co. He got a
beer mug in rainbow colored
metal that he refi lled and refi lled,
it gave me great joy to see his joy
with his now “special” drink.
As I walked through the
packed aisles, I discovered four
My grandchildren enjoying Wild Bill’s
Olde Fashioned Soda
remarkable women
who brought their wares from
their native countries.
I bought a number of bracelets
from a wonderful woman
from South Africa who is holding
her own festival in August
and we exchanged business
cards and ideas.
Th en down the aisle was a
stunning woman from Liberia
who has created a line of clothing
and accessories from her
native country but has a “day
job” with my favorite designer,
Chanel.
Walking just a few steps
further down the aisle of the
International Merchandise
Mart, I found a family from West
Africa selling colorful handmade
reed baskets from their country.
I couldn’t resist buying a few baskets
and placemats.
Th en I was delighted to see my
old favorite vendor from the LIC
Flea, Fiza, who sold her stunning
sparkling jewelry and accessories
for fi ve years and now joined us
for the World’s Fare.
I found some stunning earrings
and a purse and wished
I had more time to browse
through her hundreds of pieces.
I’ve chatted with her for years
but I never knew she worked at
a school in Brooklyn where she
works with
parents facing
immigration
issues.
We decided to
talk aft er the Fare
to see how my news
media can help her with
the challenges she hears from
the South Asian families in her
community.
She started working as a volunteer
as president of the PTA
and when her term was up, the
principal pleaded with her to
join the school in a paid position.
As she spoke about her work,
I could see the sparkle in her
eyes and passion for what she
does during the week. We were
delighted to welcome her back
to the World’s Fare.
Th e biggest blessing of the
weekend was the weather. How
blessed we were as the sun
warmed us all and added to the
positive energy and joyous celebration
of our diversity.
Th ere were thousands of people
smiling as they walked the
“world” of food, drink, music,
dancing and merchandise, but
I think mine was the biggest
smile of all, with my heart full
of pride at what my children
accomplished!
Hope you were there!
VICTORIA’S
SECRETS
Victoria
SCHNEPSYUNIS
tweet me @vschneps
Luangisa
Fashion
Fiza Fashions
from India with
her goods
Agowa
Handmade
Broadway Stages sponsored the art installations.
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