Nassau County Legislator Carrié Solages, who represents District three, joined the community at the Valley Stream Village Bandshell on Saturday, Aug. 9, for the 20th annual Simon’s Valley Stream Jazz Festival.
“For the last 20 years, the Simon family has staged a world-class Jazz Festival that brings our community together for a vibrant, multicultural celebration that spotlights our rich diversity and highlights an array of outstanding performers,” Legislator Solages wrote in a statement. “The continued success of this event enriches all our lives, and I applaud Dr. Simon and his entire family for their commitment to this great cultural tradition.”
The festival, organized through a partnership between Assemblywoman Michaelle Solages, the Village, and the Jazz Festival organizers, drew hundreds of attendees for a family-friendly, multicultural celebration.
The event featured a lineup of top music performers, food trucks, vendors, and other attractions. During the festivities, Legislator Solages and Assemblywoman Solages presented official citations to performers in recognition of their contributions to the tremendous success of the Simon family’s creation over the last two decades.
Founded in 2003 by Dr. Herold Simon, the festival began in his backyard with performances by artists including Chardavoine, Buyu Ambroise and Pauline Jean. Over the years, the festival grew, incorporating additional performers and expanding its audience.
By 2013, Dr. Simon envisioned moving the event to a park in Valley Stream to accommodate its growth, a plan that came to fruition with the support of Assemblywoman Michaelle Solages. The festival has since become a hallmark cultural event for the community, celebrating jazz, multiculturalism and family engagement.
