Wednesday, October 7, 2026
Throughout the summer, Wantagh’s Thursday Night Live block party has brought families together for evenings filled with games and music, also allowing the area’s small businesses to showcase their wares.
Held along Railroad Avenue, the second annual event gives local shops — both new and established — a chance to connect with the community in a festive setting.
Hosted by the Wantagh Chamber of Commerce, the July 17 event drew mostly families with young children, who had a blast on the inflatable obstacle course, played games, and explored vendor booths. The block party also will take place on three dates in August, continuing the celebration of Wantagh’s close-knit spirit.
Carissa Alfieri, of What A Girl Wants, in Wantagh, and her coworker, brought over a dozen jewelry pieces to display and sell at the block party. The store has been in operation for 20 years, and new ownership took over about 10 years ago.
“I feel like maybe it makes it a more desirable neighborhood to live in, just to see that there’s more going on in the neighborhood,” Alfieri said.
She said the block party has given the business exposure within the community, and it has gained a few wonderful customers. She didn’t expect the heat that day, but said she will try to make the remaining dates.
Workshop, owned and operated by Kristen Estela, is a new craft and event studio that opened three months ago at the site of the block party. Estela said the event has given her business exposure and allowed the community to become acquainted with the location.
“I think it really just brings everybody together,” Estela said. “Wantagh is a very community-centric town. And for us, it’s nice to, especially during the summer when people aren’t seeing each other at school every day, to be able to come down and to reconnect with their friends.”
With a focus on the children that day, Workshop offered free-to-use Play-Doh and blocks, and raffled off prizes. She appreciated how much the community values the block party.
“I’m glad it’s gaining a little bit more traction,” Estela said. “I think it’s a really positive thing to have the kids come down and to be able to hang together.”
Tease Hair Bar, which is also new to the site, has its entrance is in the back parking lot, so the business doesn’t receive much traffic from the street. The block party directed people to the back, where the store is located, and visitors then asked about the business. Stylist Grace Conway said customers have come to the shop’s table and purchased party packages and haircuts.
“Today we’re hoping that a lot of kids come, and they’re getting free tinsel,” Conway said. “We have tattoos, face glitter. We are offering braids for a few bucks. But it’s just nice for everybody to come over and learn about tinsel, because everybody loves it.”
Several partygoers said they got a chance to meet people they don’t usually bump into.
“It brings (the community) together,” attendee Linda Sileo said. “You see people you haven’t seen in years.”
As a mother, attendee Jackie Zorskas said she appreciated all the offerings for children, and her daughter enjoyed the different vendors.
“It improves it greatly, because you run into people that you don’t see that often,” Zorskas said. “And it just brings everyone together in a really nice fashion.”
Another attendee, Kristen Walsh, said her favorite part was visiting Workshop. She also mentioned that all the restaurants at the site offered fun things for the children. She hopes to come as much as possible, as long as the weather is nice.
“It’s such a great opportunity for kids and families to get out,” Walsh said. “All the local businesses do a great job of getting everybody together.”
