Bellmore Street Fest attracts mega-crowd

The Bellmore Chamber of Commerce did it once again, pulling off the Bellmore Family Street Festival for a crowd of tens of thousands over the weekend.

The fair, now in its 26th year, is held annually in Bellmore Village, north of the Long Island Rail Road train station at Bedford Avenue and Sunrise Highway. This year, the weather –– sunny, with a slight breeze –– was ideal for the festival, which has gained widespread acclaim as Nassau County’s largest family fair.

Debby Izzo, the Bellmore Chamber president, had high praise for the chamber volunteers who put in long hours to make the festival a reality. “Hats off to the street festival dream team,” Izzo said. “Everyone made this weekend a huge success … Thank you to all of our members, nonprofits, military and sports organizations for their support, and thank to all of our patrons for coming out to see us.”

On Saturday, the festivities got under way with a ceremony at the Veterans Monument beside the Long Island Rail Road station, officiated by chamber officers and elected leaders. Festival-goers enjoyed hot dogs cooked up by the Bellmore Lions Club and zeppole deep-fried and coated with powdered sugar by the Bellmore Knights of Columbus. There were musical and dance performances at every turn. The U.S. Tennis Association had an exhibition. The Bellmore Fire Department and Bellmore-Merrick Emergency Medical Services pulled out their trucks for all to see. And hobbyists and crafters had plenty of booths to visit.

Indeed, a good time was had by all.