Media Contact:
TYRA EMERSON (718) 526-8700
TREY JENKINS (718) 873-2506
For Immediate Release:
Jamaica, Queens, December 10, 2019 - Cultural Collaborative Jamaica (CCJ) and the Jamaica Center Business Improvement District (JBID), in collaboration with several community stakeholders and businesses, will celebrate the beginning of the Holiday season in Jamaica Center with Holidays On the Avenue. CCJ’s annual community celebration of the Holidays, will be even bigger with contests, children's holiday workshops, gifts, and giveaways, culminating with the annual Community Tree Lighting Ceremony in Rufus King Park. All are invited to attend.
On the same day, the Jamaica Center BID will reveal its new lighthearted shopping campaign targeted towards shoppers who have yet to complete their holiday purchases, aptly titled: “Procrastination Station”. From December 14-24 Jamaica Center BID will offer a slew of shopping support services crafted specifically with procrastinators in mind.
Saturday, December 14 Activities:
12:00 PM – 2:00 PM Downtown Jamaica’s seasonal fun kicks-off with live music all along the avenue from the brass band, Underground Horns and a Snowman Meet n’ Greet (Parsons Public Space). Area shoppers will be able to also snap a selfie in front the Ugly Sweater Selfie Station (159-26 Jamaica Ave) for a chance to win a prize.
2:00 – 5:00 PM Bring the kids for an amazing time of laughter, fun activities, refreshments and valued holiday traditions at the Children’s Holiday Workshops (Grace Episcopal Church, 155-24 90th Ave. & Parsons Blvd.) Create Holiday Pomander Ornaments with King Manor Museum, Readings & Book giveaways, with South Jamaica Reads and Face Painting with Queens Public Library, Make your own Holiday Crafts with the Dept. of Parks & Recreation and see a special holiday dance performance by the Edge School of the Arts (ESOTA). Adults will make a Vision Board for 2020. Holiday Raffles.
Santa Claus and the DEAR Mascot will be giving out gifts so register early. Parents wishing to receive a gift for their child; ages 1-13 yrs. must register in advance at
HolidaysontheAvenue2019.eventbrite.com or call (718) 526-8700. Child must be present to receive a gift from Santa Claus. Gifts are available on a first come first serve basis!
6:00 PM CCJ’s Annual Holiday Community Tree Lighting, Featuring Robbie Nova with songs from his Christmas Album on Spotify, Rufus King Park, (front entrance) Jamaica Ave. & 153rd Street. Robbie Nova, Songwriter, Producer.
Procrastination Station:
In addition to the activities occurring on the 14th , Downtown Jamaica will offer relief for last minute holiday shoppers who are delayed in checking items off their gift list. Customers shopping or dining at any business on Jamaica Avenue from the 15th – 24th eligible to win one of 10 Jamaica Ave Seasonal Swag Bags packed with fun winter surprises and a gift card for extra shopping on the Avenue. Jamaica Center BID will also post a curated list of last-minute gift ideas available for purchase locally on its social accounts, and an “ultimate hour shopping directory” listing stores with extended hours during the holiday season.
Tyra Emerson, Executive Director of Cultural Collaborative Jamaica: We are excited to see how Holidays on the Avenue has grown each year with the help from several community stakeholders and businesses (listed below) to support this community event. Each year we look forward to lighting the Tree in Rufus King park for all the community to enjoy that kicks off the official Holiday in Southeast Queens.
Jennifer Furioli, Executive Director of Jamaica Center BID: “CCJ has spearheaded a wonderful community tradition for years with its Children’s Holiday Workshops and Annual Tree Lighting. Jamaica Center BID is excited to participate in the tree lighting once again AND to bookmark this exceptional community event with additional entertainment on the 14th and fun shopping promotions lasting through the 25th via our new Procrastination Station last minute shopping campaign!”
The Holiday events are brought to you by Cultural Collaborative Jamaica (CCJ), Jamaica Business Improvement District, Greater Jamaica Development Corporation, Friends of Rufus King Park, Grace Episcopal Church, King Manor Museum, Jamaica Reads, Dept. of Parks & Recreation, Queens Public Library, Casel Captures, Fresh & Healthy.
We would like to thank our legislators for their support; Hon.Council Members I. Daneek Miller, Rory I. Lancman, Adrian Adams, NYS Senator Leroy Comrie, Assemblywomen Alicia Hyman and Vivian Cook.
Special thanks to the following participating Businesses for their donations; Fresh & Healthy, Affinity Health Care, GB Sneakers, Diamond Braces, Healthfirst and Kimberly Vasser in loving memory of Jeffrey Hiers.
About Cultural Collaborative Jamaica (CCJ) Cultural Collaborative Jamaica (CCJ) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to unite cultural organizations, artists, local businesses, and the community in efforts to strengthen community and economic development in Jamaica, Queens. Since its inception, CCJ has successfully created and managed a wide collaborative program that support its members and greatly impact community knowledge of and access to local cultural offerings, services and tourism opportunities. www.go2ccj.org.
About the Jamaica Center Business Improvement District (BID)
Founded as the Jamaica District Management Association in 1979, the Jamaica Center BID is central to one of New York City’s fastest growing communities. Jamaica Center BID is the proud home to national and regional retailers, several major cultural and educational institutions as well as City, State and Federal Offices, and more than 400 businesses. The Jamaica Center BID seeks to maintain Jamaica Center as a thriving business hub and premier destination to shop, work, live and play. For more info visit w ww.Jamaica.nyc.
