The Fordham Road Business Improvement District hosted the 18th Annual Fordham Road Fair on Saturday Oct. 28, with food, pony rides, roller skating, games, music, and a bouncing house.

 

As usual, the event was held on East Fordham Road, between Grand Concourse and East Kingsbridge Road in Fordham Manor. Due to the rainy weather the previous weekend, the fair had to be rescheduled to the later date of Oct. 28, which ended up being a perfect sunny day.

 

At the Gyro stand, shish Kababs, chicken, lamb, and chicken over rice were on offer. Many others stopped to look, smell and buy delicious-looking sausages at the sausage stand.

 

Meanwhile, as many tried their hand at roller skating, others had fun falling to the ground and trying again.

 

Two gentleman at another stand were seen handing out free Adidas T-shirts.

Kids, Mao, Matthew, and Jake, all won fish at the fishbowl game and told us they still had some more money left over to play a few more games.

 

Donkeys were seen taking a break at one point from the many rides they were seen providing to children throughout the day.

 

Meanwhile, Carlos Conteras was busy squeezing cane through a machine in order to manually extract fresh cane juice for attendees.

 

Roodbenson Paxal attended the fair with his family. Some got into the spirit of Halloween dressing up in costume and also showed off some long, scary-looking claw fingers.

 

Vendors at another stand sold sweatshirts and some amazing animation art.

Meanwhile, on the same day as the fair took place, as preadvised by Norwood News [see on page 13, Out & About], the Bronx Night Market finale was also held for the last time after its 7-year run on Fordham Plaza.

 

MHG Events, the promoters and organizers of the popular market, said ahead of the finale, “After an impactful seven years of operation, the Bronx’s famous event and revolutionary foodie haven, the Bronx Night Market, announces that its last event for the 2023 season, on October 28, will mark the culmination of its presence in Fordham, The Bronx.”

They continued, “This difficult decision comes from various factors, including concerns for the safety of its dedicated team and valued vendors, challenges in garnering substantial support from the community, and the inability to secure necessary sponsorships for Bronx-based experiences.”

In 2017, Marco Shalma founded the Bronx Night Market, described as an innovative and unique food event that organizers said responded to the borough’s craving for something extraordinary. Organizers said the pioneering event, which they also said ignited a culinary and cultural movement, held a special place in the hearts of countless individuals. However, with mixed emotions, MHG Events decided to “close its doors.”

 

“While the decision to conclude our presence in The Bronx is difficult, we remain committed to celebrating the spirit of The Bronx Night Market as vibrantly and unforgettably as possible,” Shalma said ahead of its grand finale. “We have always strived to deliver an exceptional experience to our attendees, and our final [event] will be no exception.”

In the face of challenges, the Bronx Night Market organizers said they sought to leave a memorable mark on the community that they said had embraced it. They said the farewell events were intended to encapsulate the Bronx’s essence and resilience.

 

They said the decision to discontinue the market resulted from many challenges. At the forefront laid what they said was the intricate process of securing crucial sponsorships, a foundational pillar for the sustained success of an event of such grandeur. They said that, unfortunately, The Bronx grappled with attracting prospective sponsors eager to invest and share MHG Events’ vision of fostering community growth and celebration.

Moreover, the limited local endorsement has posed significant impediments to our mission. Despite the Bronx Night Market‘s pivotal role in bolstering the borough’s cultural tapestry and economic vitality, the necessary backing from local stakeholders needs to be more robust. This lack of unified advocacy has hindered our ability to navigate the intricate event planning landscape, hindering logistical progress and resource acquisition.

 

Furthermore, the unique setting of Fordham Plaza, while historically significant and central, has presented its own set of intricate challenges. The community and the city must address the plaza as it has become dangerous. This setting has impacted the overall attendee experience and the safety and well-being of our dedicated team and cherished vendors.

 

In light of these multifaceted challenges, MHG Events, the owner of the Bronx Night Market, has made the difficult yet deliberate decision to bid farewell to its birthplace. While the journey has been marked by accomplishments, unity, and culinary marvels, we prioritize the safety, success, and vibrancy of the event and its participants.

As we bid farewell to an era, the Bronx Night Market expresses its deepest gratitude to the community, vendors, attendees, and partners who have been integral to our journey. Together, we have woven a tapestry of flavors, cultures, experiences, and memories that have enriched the Bronx and beyond.

 

In other Fordham Road BID news, Verizon announced recently that it has invested $400,000 in 2023 to advance small business digital inclusion to help New York City entrepreneurs thrive with their respective business.

Verizon officials said that as part of its commitment to closing the digital divide for small businesses and uplifting local neighborhoods through a range of small-business assistance and workforce-training programs, the company granted a total of $250,000 to what it described as innovative local organizations this year, including the Fordham Road BID, Staten Island Economic Development Corporation, Greater Jamaica Development Corporation, the James Beard Foundation, and the New York Women’s Chamber of Commerce.

Additionally, for the NYC Small Business Digital Inclusion Program, which supports entrepreneurs in underserved communities with tech literacy skills and innovation programs to support the growth and sustainability of their small businesses, Verizon officials also announced a $150,000 award to the Five Chamber Alliance, which includes the Bronx Chamber of Commerce, Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce, Manhattan Chamber of Commerce, Queens Chamber of Commerce and Staten Island Chamber of Commerce.

The partnership is part of the Verizon Forward Community Enhancement Award, a $1 million national initiative equipping communities with the tools to navigate an increasingly technological world, which Verizon officials say aligns with Verizon’s larger responsible-business initiative. Learn more about it here.

 Tony Lewis, vice president of public policy for Verizon, said, “At Verizon, we believe that small businesses are essential for fostering economic growth, community cohesion and cultural pride.”

He added, “Through our Citizen Verizon responsible business plan, we have a goal of supporting 1 million small businesses with the resources they need to thrive in the digital economy. We are committed to listening to and meeting communities where they are by partnering with innovative organizations to deliver the tools and skills that can drive meaningful change for businesses and help them succeed.”

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