Merrick Chamber hosts annual Kids Fest

The Merrick Chamber of Commerce is inviting the community to come out and have some fun for a good cause at its annual spring Kids Fest, which will be held on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, April 28, 29 and 30.

Julie Marchesella, former president of the Chamber, founded the Kids Fest over 12 years ago “to support fundraising efforts for scholarships to award local learning-challenged students.” Marchesella said that she got the idea for the festival from her high school-aged son, who was considered a “learning-challenged student,” and didn’t qualify for any cash scholarships, but planned on furthering his education.

Marchesella brought her idea for the festival as a fundraising vehicle to the Chamber’s vice president and board, and since then they have been putting on the well-anticipated event each year.

“I am proud of The Merrick Chamber of Commerce for being the only chamber to award learning-challenged students in Nassau County” said Marchesella.

Each year the Chamber raises up to $6,000 at the Kids Fest, allowing them to award the scholarships to two graduating seniors in the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District who “have overcome struggles and challenges in school.”

Current Chamber president Erin Donohue said that the chamber does not pick the students to award. Rather, the deciding committee is formed by each of the high schools’ guidance departments, psychotherapists and social workers, who come together to select the recipients.

“The chamber honors all six students with the scholarships in the first week of June at the Merrick Library” added Donohue.

The Chamber is still in the midst of planning and finalizing everything for the fest, but the community can expect various kid-friendly activities such as rides, games, food, vendors, magic shows, crafters and more. There will also be live entertainment at the gazebo during the festival, and, according to Donohue, the community is more than welcome to be a part of that.

“Readers can call or email the chamber if they’d like to come down and perform during the Kids Fest,” she said.

The family-geared event will be hosted in the LIRR train station parking lot on the corner of Merrick Avenue and Sunrise Highway. The festival kicks off at 6 p.m. For more information about the Merrick Chamber of Commerce or the Kids Fest call, 516-771-1171 or email merrickchamber@aol.com