Going out to the fair

The 31st annual Five Towns Community Chest Fair began Saturday on a clear sunny day,and will continue on through Sunday, Oct. 11 and Monday, Oct. 12 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Andrew J. Parise Park in Cedarhurst.

Food, games and rides are the main attraction at the fair this year. Service providers for health and wellness are also on hand to help families.

Other local events such as the homecoming football game for G.W. Hewlett High School against Lawrence High School kept the crowds light at the fair today, and more people are expected to attend the fair on Sunday, fair officials said.

Bob Block, the executive director of the Five Towns Community Chest, said that due to the other events in the area simultaneously scheduled, he was also shorthanded on volunteers.

"Luckily, I got these four boys here to help today," he said. "They learned about the meaning of community service. The hours are more valuable to us today as we really needed people for manning the booths and setting up." The four volunteers were Liam Kaminsky, 13, and Brandon Lake, 13, both of Woodmere Middle School, and Jared Lake, 14, and Liam Stroh, 14, both of Hewlett High School.

Brandon Lake said he was glad to volunteer. "I've never volunteered for this event before," he said. "I've had fun seeing what it was like to volunteer here, as it's different from other times I've done it."

Lake's brother Jared said he liked volunteering because it was fun to try the fishing game where he volunteered. "My favorite part is meeting all kinds of people who come up to buy the drinks and snacks," he said. "I like helping the Community Chest because we're helping people. By raising money through selling the drinks and snacks, that money goes to help people who need it."

Bolck was impressed with the leadership of his new volunteers. "Based on these young men, I'm sure that the youth board is in great hands," he said.