Sunday, June 15, 2025
Valley Stream residents danced under the stars last Saturday as the village celebrated its centennial with a moonlight dance party at Arthur J. Hendrickson Park — a festive and well-attended kickoff to a year of events marking 100 years of incorporation.
Despite early rain and clouds, the skies cleared just in time for the evening celebration, themed around “Dancing Under the Moonlight.” Mayor Ed Fare and village staff welcomed hundreds of attendees to a night full of music, food, and surprise attractions, highlighted by the ceremonial ribbon-cutting for a newly constructed gazebo at the lakefront. Former mayors George Donnelly and John DeGrace joined current officials for the occasion.
“We lucked out with the weather,” Fare said, noting the moon’s timely appearance after a cloudy day. “It was just beautiful — the kind of night where everyone was smiling and meeting neighbors they’d never seen before.”
One surprise feature wowed the crowd: a glowing “100” strobe-lit float in the center of the lake, drawing attendees for Instagram-worthy photo ops. Other hits included a live performance by the band Hocus Pocus, a retro photo booth at the community center, and a swag bag packed with centennial-themed keepsakes — including a history book, a commemorative coin, and hand sanitizer.
The celebration was as much about community spirit as it was about a herculean logistical task. Fare praised the tireless efforts of village staff and the 14-member Centennial Committee, who coordinated parking, shuttle trolleys, food service, and weather contingencies with precision. “It’s one thing to plan these events, but it’s the employees who really make them happen,” he said.
Guests embraced the occasion with festive attire, many dressing in styles from decades past. The casual, friendly atmosphere created an unexpected highlight for the mayor: “I must have met 50 or 60 people I’ve never met before,” he said. “That’s what this is all about.”
The event also sparked excitement for the village’s centennial parade, scheduled for Sept. 27. But for now, residents are still glowing from the success of a night that brought generations together to honor their shared hometown — and proved that, in Valley Stream, these are the good old days of today.
Arthur J. Hendrickson Park holds a special place in Valley Stream’s history, serving as a central hub for community events for decades. The park, named after the former village trustee and local leader Arthur J. Hendrickson, has long been a venue for celebrations and public gatherings.
One of the park’s standout features is the iconic gazebo, originally built in 1962, which residents will be able to walk on its newly refurbished foundations for years to come.
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