Final preparations under way for annual Malverne Fall Festival

Anyone passing through Malverne on Oct. 6 may have seen the Malverne Fire Department raising a banner above the intersection of Hempstead Avenue and Broadway. The sign was one of finishing touches in preparation for the Chamber of Commerce’s annual Fall Festival coming this Sunday.

Every year, the chamber closes off Church Street and hosts numerous vendors and events there and in the adjacent Reese Park. At the same time, the parking lot around the block, with its entrance on Hempstead Avenue, next to Connolly Station restaurant, will host an antique car show, which made its first appearance 29 years ago.

Newmann Realty Broker Jack Sorrentino has long organized the vintage car show in conjunction with the festival. This year, a free classic car coloring book made especially for the event will be handed out.

This year’s festival, chamber President Maria Casini said, “is going to be an extra-amazing day for family fun. It’s a great opportunity to meet new businesses in town, many who don’t have a brick-and-mortar store. Many chamber member businesses will be featured by the gazebo, and a giant craft fair will be set up in the middle of Church Street.”

Numerous activities will be on offer throughout the day. Inflatable slides and bounce houses will be set up for children, and there will be a large rock-climbing wall as well. Food and drinks will be available, and festival attendees can also sign up for a lottery.

The event will also feature live entertainment. The Tap to Pointe dancers will perform at around 11 a.m., while the Half Step Band, a Grateful Dead cover band, will take the stage between 2 and 4 p.m. Chamber members such as Peaceful Yoga and Better Body Bootcamp will offer live demonstrations throughout the day.

“A number of our own merchants set up tables,” said chamber Trustee Henry Stampfel, co-owner of Malverne Cinema, who is helping to organize the fair. “We also have an outside organizer bring in vendors who go to all of these events.”

One notable addition to the roster of participating businesses is the Lost Farmer Brewing Company. The Mineola-based company is in the process of building a new location on Hempstead Avenue, on a site that recently served as the temporary campaign headquarters for Mayor Keith Corbett.

“They’re going to be opening up near the theater in the coming year,” Stampfel said. “They’re going to be doing tastings of their product. We’re excited for them. They’re opening up a brewery in Malverne. It’s going to be a restaurant and brewery, so that’s going to be cool.”

Over the years Stampfel has helped organize the festival, he noted, the event has expanded. “I’ve been involved for about 10 years,” he said. “The board now is much better. Now they’ve brought it to a whole other level, because they’re all technology-oriented, and they do a great job at promoting it. They always do what they can to promote business in the village. They really do. I’m really proud of this group.”