Strawberry Festival forever

The sun was shining most of the four days of the recent Nassau County Strawberry Festival, which is held annually in North Bellmore in June.

The festival, which featured dozens of family-friendly activities, is co-sponsored by the Bellmore Kiwanis and Lions clubs. Beginning last Thursday, the groups welcomed hundreds of people from across the region to the festival grounds at the Jerusalem Avenue School in North Bellmore.

Blue Sky Amusements provided the rides and games for the festival, which ran from May 28 to 31. Young and old piled into bumper cars, whirled around on the “Rip Tide” or “The Swinger,” and took serene rides on the Ferris wheel.

Festival-goers also perused a craft and gift show and enjoyed plenty of carnival food. Strawberries, of course, were in abundance, with Kiwanis and Lions volunteers selling shortcake, cheesecake, non-alcoholic daiquiris, and the fruit itself in the event’s trademark red tent. Proceeds collected by both organizations will help people in need in the community and across the region.

Residents who stopped by the festival on Saturday, one of the warmest days during the event, were treated to something extra special: The Ultimate Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons Tribute Band performed for the crowd on May 30.