Downtown will be jumping

Next month, the Chamber of Commerce will host a new street fair, EAT.SHOP.ROCK.RVC, which, according to the chamber, will give residents a chance to see the best of all the village has to offer.

Created to replace the annual summer street fair, EAT.SHOP.ROCK. will feature local businesses and restaurants when it takes over Park Avenue on June 7.

“We wanted to give the merchants in the village the opportunity to have a stage unto their own,” said Jeff Blasko, owner of Empowered Wellness and a co-chair of the chamber’s EAT.SHOP.ROCK. committee. “In the past, we’ve done events, but [they have been] open to all merchants who want to participate — meaning a lot of outside vendors, and not giving the Rockville Centre businesses that much exposure.”

From noon to 9 p.m. next Saturday, South Park Avenue will be closed from Sunrise Highway south to Lincoln Avenue. Businesses and restaurants on the block will have their doors open and tables out front, and businesses from around the village will set up booths and tables as well.

“There’s tons of eating, shopping and rocking,” said Shannon McComb, owner of Lucky Finds Boutique and the event’s other co-chair. “It’s really a community event. It’s bringing the community to the center of Rockville Centre.”

The Chamber is looking to make EAT.SHOP.ROCK. more of a festival than previous street fairs. While attendees are enjoying the food, they’ll be able to watch performers on two stages that will be set up.

“The entertainers are local bands,” Blasko explained. “There will be a number of high school and youth performers, Molloy College will be sending a cabaret, and a number of the dance and Pilates schools will be having performances.” The performers include Matt Barthel, Jerry and the Newcomers and Ms. Colleen’s Elite Dancentre.

Parking in the village will be free throughout the day, and there will be activities for kids as well, including bounce houses, face-painting and more.

Blasko said that about 70 businesses would have booths at the fair, including those on Park Avenue. The event is sponsored by Elements Massage, Cabo, TD Bank, Kasey’s Kitchen and Cocktails, Bonefish Grill, American Laser Skincare, Better Home Care, the Rockville Centre Herald, the Rockville Centre PrimeTime Shopping Guide, Coach Realty, Parlay Gastropub, Chocolate Works and Jeans for Less.

McComb said she hopes residents will come out and see some of the new businesses that have set up shop in the village in the past year. “[We hope to] bring awareness to the Village of Rockville Centre as a place to visit, to go out on a Friday night and eat and shop,” she said. “To make Rockville Centre more of a destination spot to go to, and not just an afterthought.”