Arts Below Sunrise bonds the community

The third annual Arts Below Sunrise fair took place On Oct. 5. The community gathering brought out teachers, families, students and many volunteers who all came together to enjoy a day filled with fun, food and play for people of all ages.
Arts Below Sunrise attracted many Hewlett High School students who volunteered to run various activities such as games, selling fresh produce from the community garden and raising money for various organizations.
“As a member of the Youth Leadership Forum, I raised money for the Fistula Foundation, which is an organization that funds fistula surgeries for young women in underdeveloped countries. We were able to educate a lot of people a lot of the community about the organization and received several donations,” senior Allison Rebenstock said.
Families strolled up and down Broadway. People shopped and picked up jewelry, painted pumpkins and got their face painted. In addition, the fair had more than 60 street vendors and food trucks, ranging from delectable grilled cheese sandwiches and delicious funnel cakes, to the classic ice cream cone from Mr. Softee’s.
“ I think the event is a chance to celebrate the community. It is a chance to build community support and commodity,” said Dr. David Rifkind, a Hewlett High educator, Youth Leadership Forum Advisor and community resident.

As vice president of the high school’s Environmental Club, I, along with other volunteers, grew produce in the community garden for residents to purchase at the festival. From gourds to eggplants to black cherry tomatoes, the club grew an abundant amount of food, which ultimately gets distributed to local restaurants and shelters, and cafeterias across Long Island to prepare fresh, healthy meals for students. We sold many of our vegetables and had the opportunity to educate fairgoers on the importance of caring for the community garden and how it impacts our community.
“This is my favorite event. How it expanded over the past three years really shows what Hewlett is all about. I see old students with their parents and generations of people coming together for a day of fun-filled activities. It really shows the true strength of Hewlett-Woodmere,” said Melissa Pantelis, a faculty member at Hewlett High and Environmental Club advisor.
Overall, the fair was yet again a success and has united the community to make it even stronger than it was before. As families came together and children of all ages bonded, it makes us realize how intimate and supportive the Hewlett-Woodmere community is towards one another.