Celebrating Baldwin's big day

As the sun began to set on Saturday night, I found myself in a familiar trail of cars headed towards Baldwin Park to catch the 17th Annual Baldwin Day celebration. At the gates, smiling, orange-vested officials directed drivers and pedestrians away from caution-taped areas and towards safe parking and bring-your-own-blanket picnic style seating for the

evening’s festivities.

When the face painting, pony rides and games ended, the afternoon wound down to the sounds of the free concert at the Town of Hempstead bandshell. There, Shirley Alston Reeves, the former lead singer of the sixties girl group the Shirelles, and a tribute band played a full set of golden oldies for an enthusiastic crowd. The music played long past the scheduled end time of 8:45 p.m., rocking out until 9:30, which delayed the fireworks show a bit. Still, no one seemed to mind: the skies were clear, the breeze was cool and the families in attendance seemed happy to escape the heat and count the stars.

The concert came to a close and as the band thanked the applauding crowd the fireworks show began. Bright, booming fireworks lit the Harbor sky to the sound of cheering kids and whistling grownups, all awestruck by the streaming rockets, falling stars and exploding fountains that seemed close enough to touch. The incredible display, sponsored by the Baldwin Chamber of Commerce, lasted several minutes and could be seen as far north as Sunrise Avenue.

Finally, as Baldwin Day concluded, blankets and chairs were folded, and the happy crowd of hundreds started to head home for the day. Parents carried sleeping little ones back to their cars, and the orange-vested

officials, still smiling, guided everyone through an orderly departure. The Baldwin Chamber of Commerce and its volunteers put on another great show and I’m sure everyone who enjoyed it will be back next year for the 18th celebration.