The tour explores the historical and cultural significance of the West Farms neighborhood, and the significance of the Happy Land Social Club Fire (March 25, 1990) to both New York City and the Garifuna community. It is the deadliest fire in New York City since the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire, which occurred on the same day in 1911.
The tour is led by Licensed Bilingual Spanish/English tour guide José Francisco Avila (The Garifuna Experience in NYC), who provides historical context, sharing stories and insights about the Garifuna community's contributions and experiences in this neighborhood, as well as significant locations that have played a role in the history of the Garifuna community.
The tour will last approximate 90 minutes, and the route is approximately half a mile (880 yards), mostly flat, accessible, and includes pedestrian ramps. We cover about 6 city blocks of walking in 1.5 hours. There are some places to sit along the way, but not many.
During the tour, some footage may be taken for marketing and/or archival purposes only. By attending the tour, participants grant us permission to use this footage.
The tour may be cancelled if an unforeseen circumstance or weather makes for dangerous walking conditions. If we are unable to reschedule the tour, we will issue a full credit or refund.