By JUNE SULLIVAN
The SUV's and family cars that had packed lunches, kids, beach blankets and umbrellas off to the shore can once again be seen double parking in our villages. That must mean that summer is over if not technically, then practically. But while it may be too cold for the beach, most of us don't want to give up on outside activities just yet.
Well our villages and chambers of commerce both north and south and east and west have the perfect solutions late summer and early autumn street (or park) fairs. What better way to enjoy the year's best weather than during hours of strolling along our avenues, taking in some games, munching on some food, watching the kids enjoy pony rides or laughing at puppet shows, and finally doing what we all do best: shop!
Here's a list of some of the best upcoming community street fairs around. However, readers may want to keep their eyes open for local church, synagogue and temple fairs that are listed weekly in Herald Community Calendars.
BELLMORE
http://www.bellmorechamber.com
14th Annual Bellmore Family Street Festival, September 23 & 24
11 A.M. - 11 P.M.
Bellmore LIRR Station & Sunrise Hwy
Free Admission/Free Parking/Free Shuttle Buses
(Carnival only begins: Thursday, September 21 at 6 P.M.)
Festival Hotline: (516) 679-1875
According to Bellmore's Chamber of Commerce, the Annual Bellmore Family Street Festival is Nassau County's largest event of its kind being host each year to over 100,000 visitors. Chamber executive director and festival coordinator, Robin Karp believes that the Family Street Festival is so popular because the Fair truly has something for everyone.
Many others specialize in one thing or another, suggests Ms. Karp. Maybe they have an art show, or a carnival. We have always committed ourselves to be family-oriented and include things of interest to every person.
Hosted by Chamber of Commerce of the Bellmores, EAB and a NYS Grant from Senator Charles J. Fuschillo Jr., this year's Fair includes a Kids Expo for children 10 years old and younger.
For example, this year Radio Disney will join our Kids Expo offering a unique musical experience. Plus there will be puppets and marionettes which appeal to the young ones, says Ms. Karp.
Ms. Karp adds that Sparkles, one of their Chamber members that operates a teen nightclub, is starting the longest Conga line at the heart of the Festival and will keep picking up people along the way up to their store front on Merrick Avenue.
Entertainment/Activities:
-Kids-Expo (petting zoo, pony rides, puppet shows, kiddy rides and lots of hands-on interactive fun activities for younger visitors.
-Craft & Antique Fair (150 hand craft vendors as well as attic treasures)
-Carnival (rides, games of chance for all ages)
-Military Expo (tanks, trucks and military equipment/hardware)
-Car Show (oldies and new Corvettes/hot rods)
-Business Expo (wares/services of over 330 Bellmore Chamber businesses)
-Health & Safety Expo (Fire Dept/EMS/Municipal exhibits)
-Entertainment (live music and on-going entertainment throughout fair, strolling clowns, costumed characters and more)
-Food-a-cornucopia of snacks, food and beverage
