The spirit of Purim radiated throughout the aisles at Seasons of Queens Kosher Supermarket in Kew Gardens Hills this past Sunday, March 10, as the community staple held a family-friendly festive celebration dubbed “It Must Be Purim at… Seasons.” The program drew many neighborhood families and filled the store with gleaming faces of community children.
Boys and girls patiently awaited their chance to go home with their very own balloon dog, cat, flower, or sword bent and twisted by an energetic balloon artist befittingly dressed in his eye-catching clown costume. The skilled modeler expertly created the classic party favors right before the children’s very eyes in their favorite colors – all in record time.
The afternoon’s entertainment also featured face-painting by a talented clown, who brought joy to the kids who thoroughly enjoyed the interactive fun. Siblings, friends, and parents watched as a baseball was drawn on the hands of some boys while others opted for a mustache, amongst other creations. Girls had their faces transformed as they underwent mini-cosmetic makeovers with elaborate facial designs. It was a thrilling experience for both the participants and onlookers.
Of course, Purim-themed tunes set the ambiance perfectly. Seasons staffers maintained yet another station where assorted candies filled the table. Children (and even a number of young-at-heart adults) filled cups and containers with a personal mishmash of their favorite sweets. It was literally a Shabbos oneg on steroids with delicious sugary treats. A special raffle for a lucky winner of a $100 Seasons gift card, perfect for a Purim shopping spree, was offered, in addition to a drawing with the kids in mind for a Seasons candy platter of their most beloved tastes as a Shabbos treat to share with friends and family, and finally a winner of a Seasons Shabbos package was also awarded.
Simultaneous Purim experiences were held at the Lakewood, Lawrence, and Scarsdale locations.
A huge thank you is owed to General Manager Chaimy Deutsch, who organized the delightful pre-Purim Sunday funday.
By Shabsie Saphirstein
