Families, shoppers and locals filled Franklin Avenue as the Franklin Square Kiwanis Club hosted its annual Street Fair, bringing dozens of vendors, food trucks and community organizations together for a day of shopping, entertainment and neighborhood connection.
The annual fair took place along Franklin Avenue between Hempstead Turnpike and Fenworth Boulevard last Saturday, featuring more than 50 vendors offering everything from handmade clothing and jewelry to specialty foods and crafts.
Jenny Amarain, president of the Franklin Square Kiwanis Club, said planning for the event begins months in advance.
"We do one in the spring and one in the fall, and a lot goes into preparing for it," Amarain said. "We do have someone who organizes and gets all the vendors for us."
The club works with Nassau County Fairs to coordinate vendors and secure permits, while also working with local police, fire officials and other agencies to ensure the event runs smoothly.
"We pretty much have to get all the paperwork done, the permits, and have the streets close, have the traffic derailed to a different route," Amarain said. "We get everybody involved and let everybody know what's going on."
Amarain said one of her favorite parts of the fair is seeing the community come together.
"My favorite part is just seeing the community come together, the families walking around having a good time," she said.
According to Amarain, the fair typically attracts about 50 to 55 vendors and roughly 10 food trucks, creating a diverse marketplace that draws visitors throughout the day.
Among this year's vendors was Dazzling Duds, a clothing business owned by Merylann Weinstein. Based in the Rockaways, Weinstein travels throughout Long Island and the East Coast selling Italian-made clothing featuring handcrafted details.
Many of the garments feature handmade lace, hand-applied rhinestones and intricate embellishments. Weinstein said she started the business in 1970 while working her way through college and has continued ever since.
What began as a side hustle eventually became her full-time career.
"We do shows all over the East Coast," Weinstein said of how much her business expands beyond the Long Island area.
Weinstein said events such as the Franklin Square Street Fair help small businesses reach new customers and introduce shoppers to products they may not find in traditional retail stores.
"The street fair brings noticeable things to the neighborhood,” Weinstein said.
Another vendor, Gaby Mordoch, owner of The Fast Turtle, showcased jewelry and accessories inspired by cultures from around the world. A photographer by trade, Mordoch said he entered the business after helping a friend and discovering a passion for the work.
"It's by mistake," Mordoch said. "My friend had the business, and he asked me to help him out."
Today, Mordoch designs some of his own pieces and sources products from countries including Italy, Nepal, Thailand, Israel and Mexico.
He also designs unique wraparound pants that can be styled five different ways, as well as wrap skirts available in various designs and colors.
For the Franklin Square Kiwanis Club, the street fair remains one of its signature events, bringing together local businesses, vendors and residents while raising visibility for the organization's service efforts.
