Organizers preparing for Valley Stream Community Fest 2016

For the sixth straight year, Valley Stream is set to celebrate its diversity and sense of community spirit with the 2016 Valley Stream Community Fest on Sept. 24.

The annual event, which began as an idea from a six-person committee five years ago, will be slightly bigger this year. Some of the changes for 2016 include an emphasis on sports activities for children.

“We wanted to be sure that we offer a number of activities for children,” said Marie McNair, chairperson of the Valley Stream Community Fest Committee. “We met with sports groups and decided it would be wonderful to have sports activities for kids to participate in.”

Valley Stream Soccer Club President Tim Graham and the soccer club have many activities planned, and are also organizing recreational games for special needs children to get involved in.

“We’ll be setting up an area and time later in the day for the kids to come,” Graham said. “We’re going to do a tiny scrimmage, the speed kick and whatever they can handle. The more that you get people out and involved and teach them what the community has to offer, that’s a great thing.”

Valley Stream Baseball League President Bob Inzerillo will also be part of the festivities as he will set up a table where children ages 8 through 18 can sign up for the Valley Stream Sandlot Baseball League or the Valley Stream Hawks travel baseball team. Inzerillo will also work with Valley Stream Green Hornets President Bob Hawkey on organizing the dunk tank, which is scheduled to return for a second year. Hawkey is implementing football activities for children, with prizes awarded to boys and girls who can kick and throw footballs toward target nets with accuracy.

Other changes for the event include a bounce house, a train for kids to ride and some new vendors.

On the main stage — which has events scheduled throughout the day — The Dance and Drum Group, which specializes in African, Caribbean and Latin dancing, will perform at 1:30 p.m.

“It’s very important for all of us to show unity, show diversity and show we’re a well-rounded community with a lot to offer,” Annette Gray, Police Athletic League President and Community Fest organizer, said. “Our community is growing and we’re trying to make this a day of unity.”

About 10,000 people attended last year’s event, and the committee is prepared for an even bigger turnout this year.

“I expect it to continue to be fabulous,” Gray said. “It’s a wonderful event. I truly believe it’s one of the best, and our expectations are for it to be well-attended again.”

The event is scheduled for Sept. 24 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Rockaway Avenue. The festival is free and attendees don’t need a ticket to enter. Drivers can park on the side of the street and parking meters are waived for the day.