61.0°,
Light Rain Animals, light sabers and robots, oh my
Sixth annual Arts Below Sunrise on Sunday in Hewlett and Woodmere
More than 3,000 people are expected to navigate Broadway between Hewlett and Woodmere on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. for the sixth annual Arts Below Sunrise festival that has expanded from a live entertainment and craft event to one that includes an array of science-oriented exhibits and activities.
Rockville Centre-based Center for Science Teaching and Learning will be there with educational information on endangered species, their programs for children and families and depending the weather a small live animal.
“We are the best kept secret and we want to reach out to the community be able to get people excited about science,” said Michele Anselmo, an eight-year CSTL veteran and the lead teacher for its Nature’s Kids program.
Along with the CSTL, the Cradle of Aviation will have its Starlab on site and there will be more than 50 Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math (STEAM) hands-on, exhibits and activities to accommodate a wide range of ages.
Presented by several local organizations and institutions, the festival will also include a robotics demonstration by the Hewlett High School robotics team, motion-activated drones and live 3-D chalk drawing and bottle rocket building presented by Hewlett-Woodmere schools and computer coding demonstrated by the Hewlett Elementary School coding club.
For fans of Luke Skywalker the Hewlett-Woodmere Public Library has the Star Wars Saber Guild with a light saber demonstration. The Hewlett-Woodmere Community Garden Learning Center, the Long Island chess club and a NAO humanoid robot are also part of the festival.
“Arts Below Sunrise has become a full STEAM festival and highlights the achievements of our students, and provides live music, art, food, merchandise, exhibits and fun activities for all,” said David Friedman, president of the Hewlett-Woodmere Business Association. “Our local businesses are continuing sponsors. We are very proud of what has been accomplished as Arts Below continues to grow over the years.”
The Hewlett-Woodmere Public Schools Endowment Fund, The district’s administration and Board of Education, students and teachers, along with the library, the HWBA, Trinity- St. John’s Episcopal Church, the district’s Youth Leadership Forum, the Hewlett and Woodmere Fire Departments, the Hewlett Lawrence Soccer Club and other volunteer organizations joined forces to present the festival.
There will be two stages with local performers, including musicians and dancers. The culinary choices include kosher and non-kosher food, and there will be art, crafts, plants, photographs and used books for sale. Trinity-St. John’s Episcopal Church on Broadway will offer games, antiques, Caribbean food and more.
The HWBA will be raffling off a pair of 50-inch televisions and 13 free car washes from Majestic Car Wash. All proceeds will benefit student and community programs. The library is raffling off a Kindle Fire tablet and other prizes.
