The Arts Below Sunrise Music and S.T.E.A.M. Festival, a longtime Five Towns event, will move off Broadway in Woodmere this year after police denied permission to close the street.
From its inception in 2014, the festival— hosted by Hewlett Woodmere Public School’s Endowment Fund — has evolved from a small craft fair into a larger community event, pausing during the pandemic and expanding significantly for the district’s 125th anniversary. The festival attracts over 4,000 attendees and 150 student and adult volunteers annually.
This year marks another change, and comes after Matthew Schiller, the commanding officer and inspector for Nassau County Police Department’s 4th precinct, denied the endowment fund permission to close the street, highlighting safety concerns.
John Roblin, the endowment fund’s board chairman, said organizers have worked with the precinct to adjust plans and maintain the festival experience.
“It might be a little tighter if we get the same crowds we usually get,” Roblin joked. “But we hope everyone comes, the weather is good, and everybody has a great time.”
The festival, set for April 26, will be held in the parking lots of the Woodmere Education Center and the Hewlett-Woodmere Public Library. Johnson Place will be closed, and organizers are contemplating using the school district’s maintenance building lot.
One of the endowment fund’s challenges, Roblin said, has been fine-tuning plans for vendors dropping off equipment. In the past, they’d normally drop off their equipment at their space on Broadway and then find a place to park away from the festival. Now, they’ll have to drive into the parking lot from Johnson Place. There will be a loop inside the lot, so cars can enter while vendors continue to set up.
“I think we’ve done everything we can to make for a smooth experience,” Roblin said. “But it’s the first time we’ve had to do this, so we don’t really know.”
With at least 50 vendors participating this year — down from last year’s 114 because of space restrictions — not much else will be changing.
The popular performance stage is anticipated to stand on Johnson Place, and food trucks will line Broadway’s parking lane facing the festival. In the education center’s front courtyard, the petting zoo will make its return, along with the STEM-focused hands-on area overseen by Brian Terry, the district’s science chairman.
Michelle Young, the library’s director, said the library will host its booth in its parking lot, along with the Hewlett Fire Department and Northwell Health. The booth will include giveaways and raffles.
“We are proud to be an integral part of the Arts Below Sunrise event again this year,” Young said. “We are confident that this year will still be a success, and our visibility from Broadway will potentially attract newcomers to our event.”
A rain date is set for May 3, and there is no cost to attend the festival.
As of press time, the 4th Precinct declines to comment.
