By:Cindy J. Roth
Bellmore festival set for Sept. 22 & 23
The smells, sights and sounds of Bellmore's annual family street festival explodes into town next month. The Bellmore Chamber of Commerce started preparations for the festival last year and now with only 30 days to go, the loose ends of the festival are being tied up, while vendors become geared up.
This year's 15th annual family street festival is sponsored by the Bellmore Chamber of Commerce, Citibank and LIPA. Robin Karp, Bellmore Chamber of Commerce executive director, said the objective of the festival each year is to keep the event fresh, new and exciting.
"What makes the Bellmore festival special is that we have something for everyone, no matter what they are looking for," Karp said.
New to the festival this year is a sports expo. Representatives from the New York Power soccer team and the Islanders hockey team will be present. Sports fans of yesteryear will have the opportunity to meet Whitey Ford, a pitcher for the New York Yankees in the 1950s, and other 'old timers.'
The kids expo, which is an area exclusively designed for children ages 2-10, has expanded this year to include a mini carnival, children's rides, hands-on activities like bead making and cookie decorating and booths featuring children community groups like the Boys and Girls Scouts.
"You can't imagine it until you experience it for yourself," said Rona Weiss, Bellmore Chamber of Commerce festival coordinator.
The festival is home to an international food extravaganza with more than 50 food vendors. For those interested in crafts, over 100 craft vendors are scheduled to be at this year's event, putting the vendor total at approximately 300 .
"It's a patchwork of different kinds of things," Karp said. "It's a blast."
Last year's all-star puppet and marionette theatre is also expanding. A full-length, two-level stage will be constructed for the 11 scheduled performances. In addition, several original munchkins from the Wizard of Oz will be on hand to greet visitors and sign autographs.
Among the returning expos are the military, fire department, EMS and business groups. The petting zoo, animal exhibits, pony rides, auto show, dance, fitness and karate demonstrations, carnival rides, Radio Disney and the Mobile Magic Kingdom will cater to the 100,000 or so visitors the festival brings in each year.
Exhibits and attractions at the festival span a 25-square-block radius with vendors lined down Bedford Avenue and in the LIRR parking lots. Claire Scully, owner of Elizabeth's Fine Chocolates on Bedford Avenue, loves to participate as a vendor but says preparations can be burdensome, although she admits the outcome is worth it.
Bill Hill, owner of Angels in My Pocket store on Bedford, began his prep work in July. "It's a very joyous weekend," said Hill, who is joining the festival for the third year. "It's magnificent with so many people."
Almost all of the vendors at the festival are Bellmore Chamber of Commerce members, promoting the idea of supporting local businesses. Non-chamber members are welcome as long as their products are not in direct competition with a Bellmore chamber member, according to Weiss.
Vendors pay a small fee to participate in the festival and all profits are used to finance chamber events held throughout the year. In the past, money has been spent for street banners and student scholarships . Admission to the festival is free, as is parking.
For more information about the Bellmore Family Street Festival, call their hotline at: (516) 679-1875 or visit them online at:www.bellmorechamber.com.
