The minds behind Valley Stream's Community Fest

On Sept. 29, Rockaway Avenue will be shut down from Sunrise Highway to Merrick Road for the first-ever Valley Stream Community Fest. Several business owners and residents, who meet every two weeks, are organizing the event.

The idea was generated during a conversation last fall between James Giordano, a Gibson resident and vice president of Envision Valley Stream, and David Sabatino, owner of Sip This on Rockaway Avenue and president of Envision Valley Stream.

During the event, which takes place from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., there will be live music, children’s activities, plenty of food, numerous vendors and a chance to interact with many members of the Valley Stream community.

We asked the seven members of the Valley Stream Community Fest Committee a few questions about the event.

JAMES GIORDANO
Envision Valley Stream

How did you get involved with the Community Fest?
It came out of my mouth first that we should have a festival to celebrate Valley Stream; David and I kind of took it from there.
What do your responsibilities entail?
All of the applications come to me. I manage the email, the website, I put the sponsors on the website.
What is your hope for the festival?
That everybody has fun and a lot of people come out and enjoy Rockaway Avenue. I hear stories about how it used to be and I would like to people to say, “It looks like Valley Stream is coming back.”
Is there something you’re looking forward to most on the day of the festival?
I’m looking forward to seeing all of these different organizations and different people from Valley Stream enjoying Valley Stream.
Why should people attend the festival?
To have a good day with the family, to enjoy friends and make new friends, and maybe find out some organizations or restaurants that you didn’t know existed.

DAVID SABATINO
Envision Valley Stream