The Queens Night Market, Queens Museum, Queens Public Library (QPL), and Association for a Better New York (ABNY) are planning a borough-wide census event this weekend called Queens Gets Counted!
The Queens Gets Counted! event will combine both virtual and in-person events throughout Queens meant to increase census participation all across the borough, especially among undercounted Census tracts. The goal is to fight against an expected undercount of up to 40% among New Yorkers this year and to get thousands of Queens residents to complete their census forms during the event. In 2017, every census undercount meant New York’s losing over $6,000 in federal funds for things like healthcare, infrastructure, and schooling.
The Virtual Program:
The virtual program will feature engaging segments and performances from local artists, and live giveaways.
12pm - 12:30pm: Family-oriented programming:
● Magic show by Rogue the Magician,
● Animal show by Queens Zoo,
● Juggling exhibits, and more
12:30pm - 1pm: Local performances:
● Local bands and musicians,
● All-women Afro-Brazilian percussion by Batalá NY,
● Traditional dance routines, and
● Cooking demos from Queens Night Market vendors
1pm - 2pm: All Vinyl and Soul Brunch w/ DJ Ralph McDaniels at the Queens Public Mobile Library
Borough-Wide Census Tabling - “See You On The Block!”:
The in-person aspect of Queens Gets Counted! will be include dozens of tables across the borough, all operating at the same time in high pedestrian traffic locations throughout the borough. Check out the Flushing Queens Macaroni Kid event calendar to find a table near you. Get counted and score some cool stuff.
Free swag donors currently include:
● NY Mets
● Madison Square Garden Entertainment
● Queens Museum
● Queens Public Library
● Queens Night Market
● DiLena’s Dolcini
● Twistercake Bakery
● Burlap & Barrel
● EBBS Brewing & Fountain Beverage Company
● Finback Brewery
● Singlecut Beersmiths
● Queens Zoo
● Queens Economic Development Corporation (QEDC)
Want to Help?
The planning committee is also putting out an open call for more 1) tabling partners in Queens, 2) appearances from sympathetic celebrities, 3) live and pre-recorded local performances, 4) swag donors, and 5) event volunteers.
Free Dinner & Drinks for Volunteers from Queens Night Market: As a thank you, the Queens Night Market will provide free food and beverages in a safe, sociallydistanced, masks-required, limited-entry manner for all the partners and volunteers participating in Queens Gets Counted!.
Food will include Jamaican fare by Treat Yourself Jerk Chicken, Colombian food by Arepalicious, Ethiopian cuisine by Makina Cafe, steamed pork belly and duck buns by C Bao, Romanian chimney cakes from Twistercake Bakery, and sweets by DiLena’s Dolcini.
Beer and wine will also be available courtesy of EBBS Brewing, Finback Brewery, and Singlecut Beersmiths.
Wang said, “This pandemic has been absolutely brutal for small food businesses, and on top of that, our vendors are missing an important revenue opportunity as the Queens Night Market has been unable to open this year. That makes the generosity of the vendors who are supporting the event and contributing to such an important cause that much more inspiring.”
