Choosing where to live is about more than finding the right house. The community surrounding it matters too. Parks, local businesses and weekend traditions can tell prospective homebuyers something about a neighborhood that isn't always apparent from a property listing.
In Merrick, one of the best opportunities to experience that side of the community arrives this fall.
The Merrick Fall Festival returns Oct. 23-25, bringing carnival rides, food, vendors, crafts and entertainment to the area around the Merrick Long Island Rail Road station and Merrick Avenue. It kicks off a particularly active stretch of the community's fall calendar.
According to the Merrick Chamber of Commerce, carnival rides begin at 6 p.m. Friday. On Saturday and Sunday, rides begin at 11 a.m., while the street fair runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The Fall Festival is one of the Chamber's signature community events, offering residents and visitors a chance to spend a weekend in the heart of Merrick.
For real estate professionals who talk with buyers about more than bedrooms, bathrooms and square footage, events like this can also provide a glimpse of everyday life in the local community.
“Events like the Fall Festival are part of what makes Merrick feel like a community,” said Carolyn Argento, a licensed associate real estate broker with Douglas Elliman Real Estate and branch manager of the company's Merrick and Long Beach offices.
“When people are considering a move here, they're not only looking at a house,” she said. “They want to understand the neighborhood, meet local businesses and get a feel for the community. The Fall Festival gives them a chance to do that.”
Douglas Elliman's Merrick office plans to take part in this year's Fall Festival, with local agents working a booth and meeting residents and visitors throughout the weekend.
There will be even more happening around the Merrick Long Island Rail Road station Saturday, Oct. 24.
Law Enforcement Officers Weekend, Project Thank A Cop and Road Revival are presenting the fifth annual “Back The Blue” Car Show in honor of Joey Zask from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Organizers say the event will feature vintage and modern cars and first-responder vehicles, along with food trucks, music, raffles and vendors.
Families will have another reason to stop by. A Trunk-or-Treat will give children an opportunity to collect candy from participating vehicles. Spectator admission is free. The event's rain date is Sunday, Oct. 25.
The community's fall activities don't end when the festival weekend wraps up. The Merrick Chamber of Commerce has its annual Halloween Parade scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 31.
For residents looking for a quieter way to spend a fall afternoon, Norman J. Levy Park & Preserve offers another side of Merrick.
The 52-acre preserve off of Merrick Road includes three miles of hiking and jogging trails, elevated views of the surrounding area and Merrick Bay, and a herd of Nigerian dwarf goats that help control weeds and brush.
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