Herald Neighbors

East Rockaway community spirit alive at 48th annual Huckleberry Frolic

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Hundreds of residents flocked to Memorial Park on Atlantic Avenue in East Rockaway on a sunny and sizzling Saturday afternoon on June 10 for the 48th annual Huckleberry Frolic. All money raised went to the Grist Mill Museum on Woods Avenue in East Rockaway.

With the 50th annual frolic just two years away, first-year event organizer Charlene Fried said she learned a lot about what to do for future events. “It’s great. It’s been done every year over these years and one of my big goals is to make a very big deal out of the 50th,” said Fried, who serves on the Grist Mill Museum Committee. “This was kind of like a stepping stone to raise awareness and attendance and see what works and what doesn’t work.”

More than 30 vendors took part in the event and there were plenty of new features, including a 22-foot inflatable slide, an inflatable obstacle course and a pet photo contest. There was also a machine that people entered in hopes to catch money and vouchers that were blowing around. North Star Auto Body of Oceanside and Lynbrook provided a petting zoo.

The event began with a parade that included Glor Na nGael Pipe & Drums, horses donated by the New York Equestrian School and members of the East Rockaway Fire Department. The ERFD also set up a smokehouse at the frolic with a simulated fire so that families could learn what to do in the event of an emergency. There was also a parade for children 5 and under.

Music was provided by School of Rock, DJ Pace Entertainment, the PSA Band and Black Bishop Band. Among the distinguished guests were Town of Hempstead Supervisor Anthony Santino, Town Councilman Anthony D’Esposito, Town Clerk Nasrin Ahmad, Assemblyman Brian Curran and East Rockaway Mayor Bruno Romano.

Banners indicating all of the sponsors for the event will be on display on the gates in front of Village Hall on Atlantic Avenue throughout the summer.