Excitement builds for Belmont Stakes

The 143rd running of the Belmont Stakes, the third leg of the national Triple Crown, will take place on June 11, but who can wait that long to start celebrating? For local residents who want to join in the excitement now, there are several upcoming options.

The third annual Belmont Stakes Parade, which follows Hempstead Turnpike, starting at the old Alva T. Stanforth Junior High School (just west of the Elmont Memorial Library) and ending at Belmont Park’s Gate 5, will be held on Saturday, June 4, beginning at 10:30 a.m. The parade’s grand marshals will be Elmont Memorial High School students Adina Persaud, a Belmont Stakes Parade Queen, and Funlola Otukoya, a Belmont Stakes Parade King; and Sewanhaka High School students Dylan Riccardi, a Belmont Stakes Parade Queen, and Justin Marquez, a Belmont Stakes Parade King.

Local organizations marching in the parade include the U.S. Marine Corps, the Color Guard, Nassau Police Pipe & Drums, Nassau Police Motorcycle, the American Legion, the Elmont High School band, local Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts troops, library members, Girl Scouts, Elmont Memorial cheerleaders, the Elmont Dads’ Club, the Cradle of Aviation Museum and the Elmont Fire Department. Additionally, local elementary school students will marching, and will be making posters to carry during the parade.

The parade will end around 11:30 a.m., and will be followed by a Community Day, held in the Marquee tent, where food, games and entertainment will be available. Additionally, the Cradle of Aviation Museum will provide a plane for display, which will be accessible to kids attending the Community Day event. NYRA will be providing vouchers for a hot dog and drink to Elmont residents, who will also be granted access to the Belmont Clubhouse and Grandstand.

“Community Day is NYRA’s opportunity to welcome our Elmont neighbors to Belmont Park,” said Joanne Adams, director of community relations for NYRA, adding that NYRA transport people from the yellow parking lot to the Marquee tent.

In addition to the Belmont Stakes Parade, the Garden City and Floral Park will be hosting their annual Belmont festivals on Friday, June 10 — on the evening before the Belmont Stakes race.