On October 26, State Senator Iwen Chu collaborated with 11 community organizations and local businesses in Brooklyn’s South District to host a “Halloween Family Fun Day” at Seth Low Park in Bensonhurst. The event brought together residents to celebrate Halloween on a sunny autumn day. Activities included candy distribution, pumpkin giveaways, instant photo opportunities, and a highlight—a children’s costume contest. Over 200 residents from various backgrounds attended the event, with five outstanding children being awarded after impressive performances.
Halloween is a cherished tradition in the United States, especially among children, including those in the Chinese community. In her speech, Senator Chu emphasized that Halloween not only creates happy memories for kids but also serves as an excellent opportunity for community bonding and promoting dialogue among different ethnicities, ultimately aiming to reduce biases and enhance inclusivity.
This year’s costume contest stood out, featuring over 20 participants. Children showcased their creativity on stage, performing in groups of four while striking various poses. A panel of four judges carefully evaluated the performances and selected the top five winners. The first-place winner was a young boy named Ansen, who humorously attached a picture of his sister to his tummy, with the playful tagline “I ate my sister.” His creativity earned him high praise from the judges and a new scooter as a prize.
The Halloween Family Fun Day distributed 250 pumpkins along with copious amounts of candy, and booths were set up for festive photo sessions for families with children, providing printed keepsakes. Other engaging activities included face painting, dancing, and crafts, all of which were well-received by attendees.
According to Zhang Yi, Chief of Staff for Senator Chu, this marks the second consecutive year that her office has organized the Halloween Family Fun Day. After receiving positive feedback from last year’s event, they expanded the offerings this year, attracting an even larger crowd.
The costume contest was hosted by Ding Mingxian, President of the Chinese American Association, with judges that included Chen Weiyi, President and CEO of Songbai Home, Zhang Yi, Li Zhibo, President of the Bay Parkway Chamber of Commerce, and Sonia Valentin, Chair of the Community Board for the 62nd precinct. Organizations such as the New York Unity Association and the Chinese Cultural Center also provided children with a wealth of gifts and useful community resource information.
