Thousands flock to Rockaway Avenue for Community Fest

Posted

The fifth annual Valley Stream Community Fest last Saturday had more vendors and activities and drew larger crowds than ever before, according to its organizers, who said that more sponsors helped the fair grow this year.

“It was spectacular,” said Marie McNair, chairperson of the Valley Stream Community Fest Committee. “We had a little bit of a challenge in the morning with the weather, but we persisted and persevered and all of a sudden just ten minutes after the start time, the sun burst out, and from that minute on it was spectacular.”

McNair added that the event captured the diversity of Valley Stream and there was something for everyone. The new editions to the event that went over well included the bounce house, a train for kids to ride and a variety of vendors and performers. There were also new sports activities for children, which included various soccer and football drills.

“The sports activities were enthusiastically received,” McNair said. “I went down and saw the soccer group at the dunk tank and people were lined up and having a lot of fun with that. The sports area seemed to be popular and well-received.”

The event included a variety of sponsors, community organizations and religious groups. The Valley Stream Religious Council attended the event for the first time and handed out free gifts with the “Golden Rule” from each religion plastered on a postcard. Another new addition to the event was the student art show at the Baha’i Center where teachers from Memorial Junior High School displayed their students’ work. There was also free sand art for the kids at the center.

After a successful fifth year, organizers are already brainstorming ideas of how to improve for the sixth annual event.

“We want to continue to celebrate the diversity of Valley Stream,” McNair said.

Mike Smollins contributed to this story.