On a brisk and sunny Sunday afternoon, the Flatbush Development Corporation (FDC) hosted its 41st annual Flatbush Frolic, sending off the summer and ushering in autumn.
From Ocean Ave to Coney Island Ave, Cortelyou road bustled with visitors and vendors, highlighting the diversity and unique culture of local cuisine, local businesses and local artists alike.
Reporting around 20,000 visitors and as many as 100 vendors, the event offered food, dance, live music, a pizza eating contest, a beer & wine garden, a nonprofit area and tents for local businesses to display their products and services.
Through the smoky haze of grilled meats, steamed corn and fried Oreos, visitors roamed down Cortelyou eagerly participating in every event, from the NYPDs rock climb to a dance lesson from Latin Fever On2 Dance Studio.
Summer was still palpable in the air as patrons filled the beer garden between Westminster and Stratford Roads, and kept a steady line for ice cream and Italian ices for the duration of the day.
Live music of all styles could be heard throughout the day. Hosted by Cortelyou Road Radio, local acts such as Latin Fever On2 Dance Studio, SHIMASHIMA and Jake G and The Soul Vibrance all performed.
The annual pizza-eating contest hosted by San Remo's Pizza was won for the fourth time by Matthew Varon, eating two pies in ten minutes time. "I feel very full and kind of gross." Varon said with a laugh, adding "I'll probably be full until Tuesday."
Overall the day was a success, and much to the credit of FDC, the event felt like an embodiment of Flatbush. With so many different cultures living side-by-side, one distinct community is formed in one unique neighborhood, of which the FDC should take pride.
