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Mostly Cloudy Crawling to support Hempstead Harbor
Sea Cliff residents and visitors are gearing up for a night of community camaraderie and environmental support as the Coalition to Save Hempstead Harbor prepares for its annual Crawl for a Cause event on March 8. This beloved tradition, now in its 16th year, promises a return to normalcy after last year’s cancellation due to the pandemic.
Originally initiated by the Sea Cliff Beach Committee in 2008, the crawl has become a staple event for locals, attracting participants eager to explore the village’s vibrant bar scene while contributing to a worthy cause. In 2018, the Coalition to Save Hempstead Harbor took the reins, continuing the legacy of community engagement and environmental advocacy.
Elaine Neice, events coordinator for the coalition and one of the event’s main organizers, expressed enthusiasm for this year’s crawl, highlighting its significance in bringing people together after the depths of winter.
“The crawl gets people out and it gets them back into the local restaurants and bars,” Neice said. “It creates some really good energy in the village, and for the residents and for people that come from out of town, it’s a really good vibe.”
Participants can expect an evening filled with fun and philanthropy as they traverse Sea Cliff, Central, and Roslyn avenues, visiting five participating bars and restaurants. New to this year’s lineup is the recently opened coffeeshop Daily Grind, offering necklace pretzels alongside pizzeria Il Villagio, while thirsty pub crawlers can visit participating bars; Gallagher’s, Onion Tree, Foster’s, Still Partners and Campground Five.
Tickets, priced at $45 for six, grant crawlers access to one free drink or side dish at each establishment. This year’s event will also feature a raffle, with prizes including family fun day packages donated by Shore Thing Rentals, further adding to the excitement and fundraising efforts.
While the crawl provides an opportunity for revelry, its impact extends beyond the village’s nightlife. Proceeds from the event support the coalition’s ongoing initiatives, including water quality testing, habitat improvement projects, and community outreach programs like the Junior Ambassador Program.
Neice emphasized the significance of local businesses in making the crawl a success year after year, acknowledging their vital role in fostering a sense of community and supporting environmental conservation efforts.
“We really do appreciate their participation and excitement,” she noted. “They’re so happy to participate, and that’s what makes it work. If they didn’t participate, we wouldn’t be able to have a pub crawl.”
For more information on how to participate in the Crawl for a Cause and on the work that the coalition does, visit CoalitionToSaveHempsteadHarbor.org.
