Community News

Hundreds turn out for Belmont Parade

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Hundreds of people gathered at the Alva T. Stanforth Sports Complex near Elmont Library on Saturday to kick off the Elmont/Belmont Day Parade, marking the unofficial start of summer and the lead-up to the 148th running of the Belmont Stakes on June 11, the third leg of horse racing’s triple crown.

Local officials, community leaders and residents marched west, down Hempstead Turnpike, toward the 111-year-old racetrack as people lined the streets, holding up their phones to snap photos and capture videos of the marchers as the Sewanhaka All District Marching Band filled the air with music.

Grand Marshals Pat Boyle, executive director of Gateway Youth Outreach, and Nassau County Police Sgt. Ed Grim, of the 5th Precinct, in Elmont, led the parade, as Boy Scouts, Girls Scouts, dance troupes and families followed. A half hour after the parade began, community members marched into Belmont Park and crowded into an air-conditioned tent in front of the grandstand.

“This is a tremendous honor,” Grim said of having been selected a co-grand marshal. He frequently attends civic meetings throughout the neighborhoods of the 5th Precinct.

Boyle spoke as well, and highlighted the work of his organization. “The award isn’t about Pat Boyle,” he said. “The award is about Gateway Youth Outreach because of all the work they do in the community, and I couldn’t do it without the staff, the board of directors, the parents and the rest of the community, who are able to make that happen.”

Boyle and Grim received ceremonial keys to Elmont after the ceremony.

Scott Cushing, the founder of Cushing Media Group, and Patrick Nicolosi, president of the East End Civic Association, emceed the ceremony, which was attended by a number of local officials. Newly elected State Sen. Todd Kaminsky attended his first parade as the representative of the 9th Senate District.

“It’s a great community,” Kaminsky said. “Everyone is coming together for this.”

For the past nine years, the parade has been the event in Elmont, signaling the start of the racing season, during which hundreds of thousands of people flock to the racetrack over the summer months. Residents take pride in being home to sports history. Though attendance at the track has dropped off in recent seasons — especially in years like this one, when there will be no Triple Crown contender — locals nonetheless take ownership of the parade, and encourage children to participate.

“It’s a great thing,” said Elmont resident Michelle Mathieu. “We give to the community and make the community better.”

Manba Rookhum has been bringing her two daughters to the parade for the past few years. She wanted to teach them the importance of community values, while also embracing everything Elmont has to offer. “It’s a great experience for them,” she said.

Chiquita Armstrong and her family are also regulars at the parade. They have lived in Elmont for 20 years, and one of her daughters, who is in the marching band at Gotham Avenue Elementary School, took part in the parade.

“It was very exiting,” Armstrong said of seeing her daughter marching. “I feel proud of her … [and] it’s very nice to see her involved.”