A centennial fair in the park

In what Five Towns Community Chest, Cedarhurst Village and its Business Improvement District hopes to be a fair to remember, the 26th annual Neighbors Helping Neighbors three-day event sponsored by the Herald will be held in Cedarhurst Park.

The fair, which will help to celebrate Cedarhurst’s 100th village anniversary — Sept. 16, 1910 — will take place on Saturday, Oct. 9 from 11 a.m. through the night, when the movie classic “The Wizard of Oz” is planned to be shown at 7:45 p.m. The movie rain date is Sunday, Oct. 10, after sunset.

That second day of the fair is from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., with special gala ceremonies featuring many prominent Long Island dignitaries slated for 1 p.m. The fair concludes Monday, Oct. 11, Columbus Day, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

“This collaboration is sure to produce a first-rate fun-filled weekend for all of our residents to enjoy,” said Bob Block, one of the organizers and longtime Cedarhurst business owner, who owns the Jewelry Showroom.

There will be kosher and non-kosher food courts and an array of entertainment that includes rides for youngsters and teenage thrill seekers, along with many games that will test the skills of all age groups.

One can win a goldfish, compete in the Connect-four contest, jump in the moon bounce, speed down a giant slide and go up and down on the friendly Go-Gator ride, Block said.

A picnic spread sponsored by Burgers Bar and La Viola restaurant will precede the showing of the story of Dorothy and her trip to Oz on the yellow brick road. Bring your chairs and blankets and snuggle up through the journey from Kansas to munchkin land and back.

Sunday’s celebration will boast the music of talented students from the Lawrence Philharmonic Orchestra, due in past to Lawrence School District Deputy Superintendent Gary Schall.

Through a partnership by Community Chest and ride vendor All County Amusements, 150 pay-one-price bracelets will be donated to children of the Five Towns Early Learning Center, the Five Towns Community Center and Cedarhurst-based Kulanu. The pay-one-price fair bracelets will cost $20 and are good for unlimited rides from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on the day of purchase.

For more information call Five Towns Community Chest at (516) 374-5800 or visit www.fivetownscommunitychest.org.