Boston Little Saigon’s Annie Le and Jeannie Cai presented their plans for the 4th annual Boston Little Saigon Night Market to the Fields Corner Civic Association (FCCA) on April 1 and members said they were looking forward to July 12 for what has become a showcase for the area, drawing as many as 10,000 people throughout the day.

“It’s going to be the same footprint as last year, closing down Dorchester Avenue from Adams to Gibson streets and using Town Field Park,” said Cai. “The one other piece of street we’ll be using is the busway on Park Street. There will be no buses on Dorchester Avenue during that time and we’re hoping to use that busway for more activities since it will be empty.”

Added Le: “Every year we plan and aim for 10,000 people coming in and out. We will have the same setup and having food and vendors from the community and a kid zone with events in the park.” Special zones for beer gardens will also be accommodated.

Last year’s event saw more than 50 vendors and 14 performers on two stages. They also boasted that more than 70 volunteers and 26 teams participated in a scavenger hunt, which will return bigger and better this year.

Some members of the public noted that they hoped to see entertainment go beyond 7 p.m. this year, but organizers said they like to compensate all performers and didn’t have the necessary funds last year to extend programming. They hope to have more of a budget for entertainment and attract more family-friendly acts later into the evening on the main stage this year. The event will run from 4-9:30 p.m.

Police Matters
Police reported that on March 15 around 8:30 p.m. a man and his girlfriend were walking in the Citizens Bank parking lot on Adams Street when a third party approached them and slapped the girlfriend on the buttocks. The boyfriend moved to intervene, but police had observed the incident and quickly exited their cruiser.

They apprehended the suspect, who was found to have a knife on him. He was charged with indecent assault and battery.

On March 20, minutes after at 8 p.m., police responded to a call for a breaking and entering in the 1600 block of Dorchester Avenue, where they found that an unsecured air conditioner had been pushed in, allowing the prowler to enter a bedroom, which was in total disarray, and where approximately $3,000 in cash was missing from a hiding place in the home. Family members said the apartment was in fine condition when they left for work in the morning.

MBTA Walk
Several members of the community, including elected officials and a team from the MBTA, have agreed to a community walk-through on Fri., April 18, at 11:30 a.m. The walk has been a long time coming and will focus on T infrastructure and property – particularly with the ongoing work this month on the Ashmont Line. Those interested can meet in the Fields Corner Station on the Charles Street side.

St. Ambrose sets Easter schedule
St. Ambrose Church officials are notifying the community of the Easter Mass schedule in terms of the numerous visitors to the neighborhood that the Holy Week celebrations bring – with many services attracting more than 1,000 people and parking at a premium. Holy Thursday will have a service at 7 p.m., and Good Friday will be at 6:30 p.m. Easter Vigil will be Saturday night at 8 p.m., and Easter Sunday Masses will be at 7, 9, and 11 a.m.