Free Community Cookout Comes To Astoria's Open Street On Saturday

ASTORIA, QUEENS — It's been about a year and a half since Eli Goldman started lowering homemade bread from his Astoria balcony and donating the money to charity; an endeavor that's since become a mission-driven BBQ pop-up, and raised over $85,000 for various non-profits.

This Saturday, however, Tikkun BBQ isn't focused on raising money for an organization, and is instead spearheading a first-ever, free community cookout in partnership with Astoria's 31st Avenue Open Street.

The event, which will run from 11:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., will include a blocks-worth of free food and drink stalls along 31st Avenue between 35th and 34th streets.

On the other half of the Open Street, between 34th and 33rd streets, there will be a host of activities run by local groups, including Queens Rugby Club, Astoria Woodworkers Collective, and The Rolling Library. The Astoria Horror Club is also screening a family-friendly Halloween movie from 9 p.m. until the Open Street closes.

For most of the day, musicians will take to a stage on 31st Avenue and perform live music, too.

While the food, drink, and activities are free and open to all, the 31st Avenue Open Street encourages attendees to "show some love if you can by tipping and/or donating to the folks who are serving you."

And, organizers expect the cookout to be the Open Street's biggest event yet, meaning that free food and drinks might run out, in which case they suggest trying out one of the many restaurants lining 31st Avenue — including Bareburger, which just announced a partnership with Tikkun BBQ at its Astoria outpost.

For those who want to donate to the BBQ pop-up, which is currently in the process of a capital campaign fundraiser, there will be hourly raffles from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. with prizes. The suggested donation is $5.

Regardless of vaccination status, the Open Street asks that people bring masks to wear if social distancing isn't possible, or when asked.

"Remember that the pandemic is not over, some folks are still unable to receive the vaccine, and everyone's comfort level is different," organizers wrote.

Find out more about the Tikkun BBQ Community Cookout here.