By Andrew Hackmack
The students were four of many from the school who turned out for the 13th annual Bellmore Strawberry Festival, which kicked off May 30 at the BOCES school with an afternoon of free rides, food and fun for the youngsters.
The carnival opened for about two hours that Thursday, before it was open to the public, to give the children with special needs, including physical and mental disabilities, the full festival experience.
Sponsored by the Lions and Kiwanis clubs of the Bellmores, the fair ran from Thursday through Sunday. Patricia Busset, the BOCES school principal, was grateful that her students were given the run of the carnival before it was flooded by thousands of festival-goers.
"They invite us each and every year for rides and a treat in this wonderful carnival atmosphere," she said. "The children look forward to this. They watch the rides go up from the windows."
Phyllis Neidish, who teaches 7- and 8-year-olds at the school, added, "[The students] loved it, they really enjoyed it, and we're very thankful."
While bigger rides like the Gravitron and Ferris wheel remained closed until the fair debuted to the public, the swings, mini-roller coaster and haunted house among others were full of playful screams and laughter that afternoon.
As the sun went down, fair-goers started arriving under the multi-colored lights. All the rides, food stands and games opened, and the live entertainment began. The strawberry tent opened as well and featured an array of desserts, including strawberry cheesecake, strawberry shortcake, chocolate strawberries and even strawberry daiquiris, non-alcoholic, of course.
The festival "is a family event," said Mark Meyerowitz, one of the fair's founders.
All proceeds from the event will go to local charities, including schools, Toys for Tots, Little League, UNICEF, Mercy Hospice, the Lupus Foundation and close to 100 others. According to Elefante, the festival had more than 250 volunteers over the weekend, plus numerous local businesses that donated to the festival.
"We're very grateful for all the help we receive," he said. "The local community jumps right on board when we call for help. They're always there for us."
Event organizers included Elefante, Meyerowitz, Sharon Smith, the Bellmore Kiwanis Club president, Eileen Baker and Ron Rebil of Kiwanis and Dick Medico of the Lions Club. Smith, who is in her third year as co-chairperson of the festival committee, said bringing out the children from the BOCES school is her favorite part.
"This is the most rewarding, seeing these children," she said.
"Look at the kids' faces," Elefante said, touring the carnival Thursday afternoon. "There's nothing but smiles. That's what it's all about."
