Wash Ave Rocks! Hits Prospect Heights [Photos, Videos]

Prospect Heights celebrated community and local businesses at the third annual  Saturday, Aug. 18. 

From St. Marks Avenue to Prospect Place, Washington Avenue was decked out to celebrate the offerings of Prospect Heights and Crown Heights. Hosted by the Washington Avenue-Prospect Heights Association, the third annual event celebrated the history and future of Brooklyn’s Washington Avenue.

“The festival is a means for creating fun,” said WAPHA President Dana Ottey. “Our businesses are doing well because of the support from people who live and visit the neighborhood, our focus is community and giving back to the people that support us.”

Food prepared by local restaurants lined the avenue alongside merchant booths, face painters, and cultural institutions such as the Brooklyn Children’s Museum and Brooklyn Botanic Garden.

Highlights included a fashion show, a step performance by the nationally acclaimed Double Dutch group the Stan’s Pepper Steppers, and face painting and water slides for the kids.

At 1 p.m., the Food Taste-Off was judged by food critics from Grub Street, Saveur Magazine and Edible Brooklyn. was crowned victor and awarded a trophy from Letitia James.

"Taste and flavor are scored on a scale of one to 10, presentation on a scale of one to five, texture on a scale of one to five," said Cheryl Brown of Tooker Alley, a new business coming soon to Washington Ave., and one of the organizers of the taste-off. 

"The festival is an awesome community event," said Brown. "Sometimes people need a reason to get together to celebrate the businesses and meet the new businesses in the community. Because its family friendly, I think its a great opportunity to celebrate."

Do you have photos or videos from the festival? Upload them to the post!