Come join your neighbors for a volunteer street tree cleanup on 31st Ave, as we prep for the 2025 Open Street season! Supplies such as rakes, hand tools, gloves, and mulch will be provided courtesy of NYC Parks. Make sure to bring water and wear comfortable clothes for working outside. It’s a great opportunity to meet others in the community and take care of our neighborhood trees in the process!

We’ll meet at the corner of 31st Ave and 34th Street to distribute supplies and plan out what trees need the most TLC.

Astoria Woodworkers Collective (AWC) and the 31st Avenue Open Street Collective (31OS) are joining forces for the second year in a row to design, build, and install even more tree benches on 31st Ave! Volunteers will pre-cut the lumber at AWC’s community wood shop ahead of time and then deliver it to 31st Ave where we’ll prepare each of our tree beds and install the new benches for the public to use all year round.

If you’d like to be a part of the crew, we’ll share a volunteer sign-up link here as soon as it’s ready.

Want to participate in the Mid-Autumn Market? Apply using the link above!

The market will be open to the public from 1pm until 5pm on November 2nd, 2024. Vendors can check in with volunteers once the street has been closed to vehicles after 12pm.

Location

The Mid-Autumn Market will be taking place on the West Block of the Open Street, which is from 33rd St to 34th St along 31st Ave. Vendors will be allowed to set up on either side of the block and should place their table next to the other vendors already on the street. Please pack in close proximity to others so that we can be sure everyone will fit.

There will be no reserved spots for vendors during the Mid-Autumn Market. Spaces will be filled in on a first come first serve basis after checking in with a volunteer who will be walking around on the West block wearing a high-viz vest. 

Communications

The best way to get in touch with the organizers, volunteers, and other vendors will be through the dedicated WhatsApp Group for this market in the 31st Ave Open Street WhatsApp Community. 

Join the Mid-Autumn Market WhatsApp Group Chat

Arrival and Check-in 

Volunteers will begin closing the street to vehicles at 12pm, at which point vendors can check in with the volunteers stationed on the West Block (they’ll be wearing high-viz vests) for next steps. 

Load In / Load Out

The Open Street is a No Standing / No Parking zone for all vehicles during its operating hours. No vendor vehicles are allowed on the street between 12pm - 6pm. If you need to unload from a vehicle, please do so outside the barricades at 33rd, 34th, or 35th St. If your vehicle is parked on the street before the market, it must be moved by 12pm. 

The market will end at 5pm and if you need to load equipment back into a vehicle, please do so outside the barricades just like during setup. Vendors are not allowed to move barricades to bring any vehicles into the street. 

Suggested Vendor Donation 

The 31st Ave Open Street Collective has paid for and secured the required city-sponsored concessionaire permit which allows us to operate markets in the street during the year. To help offset the costs of the permit and the cost of operating the Open Street, we ask that vendors donate $50 to participate which we share with the Astoria Food Pantry to help support their mission and our entire community. 

Please do not submit your donation until you check in. We cannot give refunds for donations, so if you are unable to attend or the market is canceled for any reason we will not be able to return your funds. After checking in with a volunteer on site, use the link below to donate. 

Donate to the 31st Ave Open Street Market Campaign here.  

Trash

Any waste must be disposed of in the trash bins located at the intersection of 34th St. and 31st Ave. Failure to do so may result in an inability to participate in future markets. 

Public Seating

The colorful metal chairs and tables are for public use only. Vendors may not use the public street furniture for seating or storage. If there are extra seats available, volunteers will distribute them accordingly. It is highly recommended to bring your own equipment if possible as the Collective only has a limited amount available for loan. 

What Can’t Be Sold

Out of respect for our local eateries (and due to heftier health guidelines), no hot food can be sold on the Open Street. Baked or prepared food, however, is welcome.

Per city law, no alcohol or marijuana can be sold on the Open Street.

Read about the event from Bill Parry’s article in Astoria Post titled “Astoria residents turnout for DOT street safety workshop following surge in traffic violence this year”.

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Traffic violence is surging all over the city. In response, the NYCDOT will present their vision for the future of 31st Ave which aims to make it safer and more enjoyable for all. The public will be shown a presentation and then invited to participate in a feedback-gathering exercise to highlight where they think improvements are needed most.