By:VICTORIA A. CARUSO
The streets of downtown Merrick will come alive next weekend as residents, business owners and community organizations come together for the Merrick Chamber of Commerce's 11th Annual Street Festival.
The weekend. which will be filled with entertainment for children of all ages, will kick off with a carnival on Friday, Sept. 14, in the Long Island Rail Road parking lot.
A festival, complete with food, musical entertainment and a crafts fair, will take place Saturday, Sept. 15 and Sunday, Sept. 16, along Merrick Avenue from the train station to Loines Avenue.
For children, there will a host of free activities, including arts and crafts, sand art, pony rides, a petting zoo, air slide and blow-up maze.
Anyone looking for a little friendly competition can take part in one of the festival's many contests, including doughnut-eating, pizza-eating, and bubble-gum-blowing contests, and a pet competition sponsored by Mutts and Butts. Raffles, for prizes from Maximus, Queen of Hearts and Lady Rosebud, will be available for purchase as well.
An arts-and-crafts fair, sponsored by the Merrick Symphony, will be set up in the train station parking lot on Saturday and Sunday, 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Items for sale will include floral arrangements, figurines, stuffed animals, collectibles and fine jewelry.
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, providing attendees with information and giveaways. The North Shore Animal League Portable Adoption Van will be on hand, and the Merrick Fire Department will provide a safety demonstration to teach children the quickest and safest ways to escape a fire.
The Town of Hempstead Showmobile will be set up under the railroad
overpass throughout the weekend to house such acts as the Green Rock Band, Johnny and the Rockers, Kingston 12 and Synesys. On Saturday, there will performances by The Stage and Hollywood Parties, and Arthur Murray Ballroom Dancing will present Dancing Under the Stars at the Merrick gazebo. There will also be a demonstration by East Coast Karate on Saturday and a Ferrari International car display sponsored by La Piazza restaurant on Sunday.
And of course, no street fair would be complete without food, food and more food. Local vendors and shops will have booths set up along Merrick Avenue, selling such festival fare as funnel cakes, sausage-and-pepper sandwiches, cotton candy, zeppoles, Philly cheesesteaks and egg creams.
Several Merrick Avenue restaurants will also take part in the festival, providing outdoor seating for those who wish to enjoy the sites or listen to live music. And there will be a farmer's market sponsored by Kings Supermarket and a pumpkin patch.
The Merrick Street Festival was established more than a decade ago by Doug Mills, former president of the Merrick chamber. It is sponsored this year by the Long Island Power Authority and serves as a fundraiser for the chamber's Holiday Lights Program.
Tom Riordan, past commander of the Merrick American Legion Post 1282, said that in addition to money, the festival raises community awareness. "The street festival provides Merrick merchants and community organizations with exposure," said Riordan in a previous article. "It also lets people know that Merrick is an actively involved community."
Cindy Guarnotta, owner of What's-N-Store on Merrick Avenue, agreed, saying, "The festival is a great opportunity for families to come out and get acquainted with the community, allowing people to see the faces behind the businesses and what they have to offer. It's the perfect way to help give back to the community and help Merrick grow."
Save the date
The 11th Annual Merrick Street Festival will kick off with a carnival complete with rides and games on Friday, Sept. 14, from 6-11 p.m.
The street festival will take place on Saturday, Sept. 15, from 10
a.m.-11 p.m., and Sunday, Sept. 16, from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Tickets for the
carnival, which will run throughout the weekend, can be purchased in advance at What's-N-Store on Merrick Avenue. For more information, call Larry or Cindy Guarnotta at (516) 377-2701. Admission to the festival is free, as is parking in the Town of Hempstead fields at Benson Lane (M-4), Fischer Avenue (M-6 ), Smith Street (M-3), Miller Place (M-2), Merrick Avenue (M-7), and Hewlett Avenue (M-7 and M-9). Please note that there will be no through-traffic along Merrick Avenue between Sunrise Highway and Loines Avenue from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. on Saturday or Sunday.
