By VICTORIA A. CARUSO
Downtown Merrick will come alive this weekend for the Chamber of Commerce's 10th Annual Fall Street Festival.
Held each year along Merrick Avenue, the street festival attracts residents, business owners and community organizations from throughout the Merricks, Bellmore and many neighboring communities. In the past, the festival ran from Sunrise Highway to Smith Street. According to chamber officials, this year's festival will be extended two blocks north, ending at Loines Avenue.
Intended as a family event, the Merrick Street Festival offers something for everyone from child to adult. The weekend will kick off with a carnival on Friday in the Long Island Rail Road parking lot. A festival, complete with food, musical entertainment, an antique car show and a crafts fair, will take place on Saturday, September 16, and Sunday, September 17.
There will be free pony rides, face painting, arts and crafts and sand art for the kids, as well as a petting zoo, pony rides and an air slide. A bouncy gym, provided by Coleman Country Day Camp, will be set up on Merrick Avenue.
Merrick Avenue businesses will show off their goods and services, and community organizations such as the Kiwanis Club of Merrick,, the Community Wellness Council, Merrick Post #1282 of the American Legion and the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District will set up booths. The Nassau County Mammography Van and the North Shore Animal League Portable Adoption Van will also be in attendance.
According to Tom Riordan, commander of Merrick Post #1282, representatives from the United States Army, Air Force, Reserves in Freeport and possibly the Navy will be at the festival. Members of the Merrick Legion Post will also be on hand accepting memberships, handing out miniature flags and collecting donations for the Legion's veterans monument at Merrick Avenue and Little Whaleneck Road.
The Merrick Fire Department will provide a safety demonstration to teach children the quickest and safest way to escape an actual fire. Michelle Walsh, president of the Central Merrick Homeowners Association, said having the fire department at the festival benefits both adults and children. Not only does the community have the advantage of learning about fire safety, but they also get to meet the firemen, said Ms. Walsh. "It's great because it allows the community to see a different side of the fire department."
An arts and crafts fair, sponsored by the Merrick Symphony, will be set up in the train station parking lot on Saturday and Sunday from 9:30 A.M. to 5:30 P.M. According to Vincent Guerico, assistant treasurer of the symphony, there will be an assortment of items on sale, including floral arrangements, figurines, collectibles and some fine jewelry. He added that all items are in good condition and available at moderate prices. "Some things are new, some are old," said Mr. Guerico. "Nothing is very expensive."
Those planning to attend the festival should bring along an appetite. Local vendors will set up booths to sell sausage and peppers sandwiches, Philly cheesesteaks and egg creams, as well as such all-time carnival favorites as zeppoles, cotton candy, ice cream and funnel cakes. Several Merrick Avenue restaurants will also participate in the festival by providing outdoor seating for those who wish to enjoy the sites or listen to live music.
The Town of Hempstead Showmobile will be set up under the railroad overpass. Throughout the weekend, such acts as Richard Gilley, Coach Steppers, Johnny and the Rockers, and the Jo-Jo Dancers will provide live musical entertainment. Performances by R.S. Jones, Johnny D and Jane Slow will be held on the corner of Lions Avenue and Merrick Avenue. Pat Rogers, co-vice president for the Merrick Chamber, said there will also be a Kung Fu demonstration provided by Master Parella and line dancing.
For those looking for a little friendly competition, there will be a variety of contests, including a bubble gum-bubble blowing contest, a pizza eating contest, a freeze-dance contest and a pet contest. Sponsored by Mutts N Butts on Merrick Road, the pet contest will include such categories as "Most Behaved Pet" and a "Pet Look Alike." An array of prizes, provided by local businesses and organizations, will be provided to all contest winners.
Doug Mills, former president of the Merrick Chamber, created the festival a decade ago. Sponsored this year by the Long Island Power Authority, the festival serves as a fund-raiser for the chamber's Holiday Lights Program.
In a previous Herald article, Julie Marchesella, current chamber president, said proceeds from the festival are used to "pay for new lights and re-installment of the lights that line the streets [of Merrick] during the holiday season."
In addition to money, Mr. Riordan, an active member of the festival for many years, said the festival also raises community awareness. "The street festival provides Merrick merchants and community organizations with exposure," Mr. Riordan said. "It also lets people know that Merrick is an actively involved community."
