By Linda Delmonico-Prussen
Merrick Chamber of Commerce President Julie Marchesella said, "We expect this year's festival to be the biggest and the best ever!"
With the long list of events, some staples of past festivals and many new activities, the event should live up to Marchesella's great expectations.
On Friday night, the fun will start with a battle of the bands, and the rides will open.
On Saturday at 11 a.m., opening ceremonies for the fair will be held, with a host of elected officials attending and a military color guard leading the procession.
The street fair will begin with craft fair as well as other vendors, a car show, motorcycle show, pony rides, petting zoo, moon walk and face painting. Local firefighters will also be on hand with displays.
For those with a competitive spirit, there will be doughnut-eating, pizza-eating and bubble-gum blowing contests.
Adults who want to kick up their heals will be entertained by King Kai and the Creoles, an award-winning Elvis impersonator, as well as a jazz band and various other musical groups throughout the weekend.
Ilene Dixel, a chamber board member, suggests that people bring
chairs for the many bands and entertainers that will perform. So far scheduled to appear are: The Danny Vincent Orchestra, Johnnie and the Rockers, The Earl Green Band, Split Decision, The Kingston 7 and 2nd Gear. Other entertainers include Bruce Katz and Jason Shain, as well as entertainers from Hollywood Parties and The Stage of Merrick.
Merrick author and illustrator Kathleen Bart will hold a book signing. She'll be on hand all day Sunday to meet and greet as well as sign her book, "A Tale of Two Teddies."
Previously a fashion designer for Ralph Lauren, Bart was one of the original designers for the famous "Polo Bear." This year marks the 100th anniversary of the teddy bear, and Bart said, "I wanted to do a book that would be a keepsake of the anniversary." Bart is fitting in her fair appearance between speaking at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. and appearing at Macy's in Herald Square on Sept. 28 to help celebrate Macy's 100th anniversary, along with the anniversary of the teddy bear.
Also new at this year's fair will be a drawing for a very special six-drawer dresser. The dresser, created by artisan Phillip Armand, was inspired by the events of Sept. 11 and is patriotically designed to resemble the American flag. Monies raised from the raffle will be donated to help those with cerebral palsy. Armand, who designed the dresser almost a year ago, shortly after Sept. 11, called it, "My way to vent."
Armand got involved with the fair when looking for a way to donate the proceeds from the dresser to a good cause. A
friend in Merrick suggested the festival and the cerebral palsy charity.
Raffle tickets will be available for sale at the fair. The dresser will be on display at Queen of Hearts on Merrick Avenue.
Proceeds from the chamber fair go to buy the lights on Merrick Avenue for the holiday season. "I hope the community comes out for us," Marchesella said, "because this money goes back into the community."
