Valley Stream Community Fest set for Sept. 28

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Thousands of residents and visitors from all over are expected to flock to Rockaway Avenue on Saturday, Sept. 28 for the eighth annual Community Fest, one of Valley Stream’s biggest events of the year.

Open to people of all ages and running from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., the festival was conceived to highlight local businesses, organizations and vendors while celebrating community spirit, and Valley Stream’s increasing diversity. 

“It’s an opportunity to bring the community together to celebrate the good things about community,” said Marie McNair, chairwoman of the Community Fest committee. “It’s a happy day for everyone and everyone looks forward to it.”

Each year, the eight-member committee organizes the massive event, with help this year from 14 sponsors. There will be live music on stage, a car show, games, a variety of food and an inflatable section called Kids Zone for children. 

Two hundred vendors along with representatives from various local religious organizations will also be present at Community Fest to help raise money for their causes and businesses. 

The fair was first created in 2012 by James Giordano, a Gibson resident and vice president of Envision Valley Stream, and David Sabatino, co-owner of Sip This on Rockaway Avenue and president of Envision Valley Stream, as a way to celebrate the neighborhood’s diversity.

It has since become a major community event, and more than 10,000 residents attended the festival last fall. This year promises to be no different.