The Forest Hills Festival of the Arts will happen this Sunday from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

The festival, which will take place on Austin Street, between 69th to 72nd roads, will feature food, art and live music.

While vendors will sell photography, arts and crafts and jewelry, festival goers will be entertained by dance performances and live music Big Daddy Bruce Wayne, who will return for the seventh year. LA Blacksmith will also perform a tribute to Earth Wind and Fire.

Last year’s festival saw thousands in attendance.

Were you hoping to see the New York Pops tomorrow but didn’t want to pay the ticket prices?

Well, you can score a few free tickets while supplies last. The original ticket prices range from $22.50 – $102.50.

The New York Pops, led by Music Director and Conductor and Steven Reineke, will play the music of John Williams. The concert will start at 7:30 p.m. while doors open at 6:30 p.m. The concert will be held at Forest Hills Stadium.

If you have been to a New York Pops show in the past, check your email because they might’ve sent you a direct link.

Visit www.axs.com to get the free tickets.

Have you seen a Russian-speaking parrot in Forest Hills?

A 12-year-old Congo African Grey parrot, named Roma, has been missing since May 20. Roma flew out of the window of owner Yana Znachko’s apartment on 67th Road near Austin Street.

The bird is described as gray with a black bill and red tail feathers. He can speak several Russian phrases and calls Znachko his “mama.”

A reward will be given to the person who finds the loved pet.

If you have any information on Roma, call Znachko at 646-417-0379.

The Forest Hills Memorial Day parade went off without a hitch on Sunday.
With near perfect weather, scores of people turned up along Metropolitan Avenue. Some wore their uniform, some waved the American flag and some simply donned red, white and blue, but they all came out to support those servicemen and women who sacrificed for the country.
Some of the parade’s participants included the Forest Hills Asian Association, the Queens Community House, the Forest Hills Volunteer Ambulance Corps, Forest Hills-Rego Park CERT, Christ the King High School Marching Band, P.S. 101, Girl Scouts, Franklin K. Lane High School and the FDNY.

Parade goers ranged from infants to those in their mid-80s. Neighbors from various blocks, such as those on 70th Road, joined each other in clusters along the parade route, suggesting that the family-friendly event was a neighborhood tradition.

Local businesses supported the event by offering free food and specials to those in attendance. Aigner’s Chocolates offered a 15 percent discount, while Nick’s Bistro offered brunch and gave out refreshments outside the restaurant.

For the full story and more photos, visit the ForestHillsTimes.com.

Did you attend this year’s parade?

Don’t forget to come out and honor our service members this Sunday in Forest Hills.

The Forest Hills Memorial Day will begin at Noon at the intersection of Ascan and Metropolitan Avenues. This year’s grand marshals are historian and author Michael Perlman and Major Michael Dunne.

The parade will then move towards Remsen Memorial Park at Trotting Course Lane.

This is a wonderful opportunity to honor those who sacrificed their lives for our country as well as pay respect to those in service presently.

Some shops along Metropolitan Avenue will feature sales and specials. These specials include Aigner’s Chocolates, who will give a 15% discount on all chocolate, and brunch offered by  Nick’s Bistro and Acey Ducey’s.

Wear red, white and blue for a chance to be featured on our blog and on the Forest Hills Times newspaper!

A fire erupted from the roof of Biu Bella Caffe in Forest Hills shortly after 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday.

As of 6:30 p.m., the FNDY said there were no injuries. About a dozen FDNY vehicles and more than 50 firefighters were on the scene.

Thick black smoke billow could be seen from as faraway as the stretch of Queens Boulevard near Eliot Avenue. The fire was put out rather quickly, though the smoke lingered past 65th Avenue.

Biu Bella Caffe is located at 107-02 Queens Boulevard, near the Forest Hills post office, MacDonald Park and busy areas such as Austin Street, Continental Avenue and Yellowstone Boulevard.

Interested in a job? Queens Bully, a new gastropub, is hiring.

The gastropub is located at the former Baluchi’s restaurant, at 113-30 Queens Blvd. The restaurant will serve lunch, dinner, drinks and coffee.

While there is no word on the date in which the restaurant will be opening, on a Facebook post they wrote, “Our doors will open shortly and we can’t wait to show you what we have been working on.”