Fall festival season has arrived

After one very hot summer, fall has at last arrived, bringing with it cool, crisp air, football and street fairs. Fall festivals have long been a South Shore tradition, perfectly suited to our many small-town downtowns.

Police cordon off a section of road, usually the community’s main street, often in the area around a Long Island Rail Road station. Carnival rides are erected; community groups set up hot dog stands and sell cotton candy. Games of chance abound, along with special activities for children. The Town of Hempstead often sets up its show mobile to spotlight musical acts ranging from tribute groups to teenage garage bands, and a good time is had by everyone.

The fall festival is a wonderful tradition that unites a community for a day or a weekend of old-fashioned family fun. We encourage residents to attend one or more of the many fairs that will be offered in the coming months. The fair season will open this weekend with Merrick’s Fall Festival. The Merrick Herald will have a booth at the fair, where we will be handing out free copies of the paper and other goodies. Stop by and speak with an editor, reporter or ad sales representative.

The festival, organized by the Merrick Chamber of Commerce, will kick off on Thursday evening, when the rides will be open. On Saturday and Sunday, from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., Merrick Avenue north of Sunrise Highway, from the LIRR station to R.S. Jones Restaurant, will be shut down. The fair will span 10 blocks with rides, games, music and fun.

On Saturday, from 2 to 7 p.m., the Five Towns Community Center Youth Soccer Program will hold a Latin music festival to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month at the Five Towns Community Center, 270 Lawrence Ave. in Lawrence. It is free and open to the public. Also on Saturday, the annual Lynbrook Expo in Greis Park will serve as the village’s 100th anniversary kickoff. Admission is free, and the event will feature live entertainment; refreshments; crafts; vendors; classic cars; military, fire and police exhibits; Scouting information; souvenirs; a harvest garden, and more.