By Justin McCallum

If you’re looking for an excuse to enjoy the budding trees and warming temperatures, there is none better than the 6th annual “Fair @ the Square” on Saturday, May 10.

At the helm of organizing the day filled with food, shopping, music, and family-friendly games, is Lisa Sorin, executive director of the Westchester Square Business Improvement District. Despite its six years, Sorin remains astonished by all it has to offer. “I’m amazed by the amount of color, flavor and people that Westchester Square has to offer,” Sorin told the Norwood News.

After modest beginnings six years ago, having started as a Westchester Square Merchants Association, Sorin emphasized that the festival has grown in success and number. It’s mainly from the BID’s marketing strategy, adopting an aggressive media push (the Norwood News is one of several proud sponsors) to get the word out.

It’s also helped by the formation of the BID, legally recognized by the city in March 2012 after several years of merchant organizing by BID stakeholders. The fruits of the BID’s labor have paid off successfully. Because of that, the BID has added more special events, though “Fair @ the Square” certainly remains the marquee venue.

Talk of the fair continues to stir around the Westchester Square neighborhood as the venue date approaches, with plenty of merchants allocating space to showcase their goods, knickknacks and services.

“The phone has been ringing off the hook with store owners wanting to participate,” Sorin said, indicating a new feel this year for the community, having secured the closure of streets to ensure a safe family environment. “It’s more about the participation. The businesses have always sat back and enjoyed the crowds that come through, but this year we were able to secure Lane Avenue! We haven’t been able to do that before.

Chairman of the BID and local business owner John Bonizio, owner of MetroOptics, said the recently renovated Owen Dolen Park enhances this year’s “Fair @ the Square,” especially after rain last year. “The first four years, the Owen Dolen Park was closed down for renovation,” said Bonizio. “And this will be the second year where that’s open for people to enjoy, with a bunch of events for kids.”

The fair is certainly a sight to see. With streets closed to vehicular traffic along Westchester and East Tremont avenues, thousands of people are often seen browsing, shopping and gazing at plenty of attractions.

Envisioned by Margaret Arrighi as a way to pump up merchant association and commercial strip participation in the northeast Bronx, “Fair @ the Square” draws 3,000 to 5,000 people to the venue. Guests can stop by to see some kid-friendly performances or more contemporary artists at a separate stage. The fair is an all-day event, serving as a two-fold experience—promotion of what the BID’s over 150 stores have to offer, and a chance for families to kick back and enjoy a spring weekend.

“It’s about the community, and as a BID, it’s about elevating my merchants and bringing awareness to the amazing offerings of Westchester,” Sorin said. “I’m really excited about it because I believe so much in this community.”

Festivities run from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., rain or shine, and feature raffles, games, a spaghetti eating competition, outdoor shopping, comedy acts, and all-day concert series with headliners freestyle musician Coro and Grammy-award winning Salsa artist Ray de la Paz, as well as an entire kids performance stage.

To learn more about the Westchester Square BID, turn to the Norwood News’ Business Beat section on page 8.