Lakeview Day 2024 was a hit

The 2024 Lakeview Day was a weekend full of fun, festivities and community celebration that has grown considerably since its humble beginnings as a competitive basketball tournament.

The cherished tradition, organized by St. John’s Baptist Church, is meant to bring together friends, families, and neighbors. The Church invited community members to participate in the event that included a parade, concert, face painting, local vendors and, of course, the basketball tournament.

St. John’s Baptist Church started hosting the event in 1997 when a group of young men came to Reverend Sheila Thomas and the church looking to organize a competitive basketball tournament. But since its start, it has grown into much more.

The event kicked off Friday with a pep rally and concert at Harold Walker Memorial Park. Then, on Saturday, a parade marched from St John’s Baptist Church to the park, followed by the main event: the annual basketball tournament.

This year, the first annual Lakeview Kids Day made its debut. The kid-centric event was organized by the Lakeview Day Planning Committee, was highlighted by the donation of dozens of toys to the children of the neighborhood. The event was hosted in Hempstead State Lake Park, included bounce houses, water balloons, tug of war, a relay race and obstacle course, and a pizza eating contest.

The day is more than just fun — it is also meant to serve neighbors and help them connect with local services.

“It’s not just them playing basketball, it's the information of what’s going on and to help the community be a better community,” said Reverend Thomas. “We have different people that provide information.”

Along with the tables for curious people wanting to learn about career opportunities and develop relationships with community organizations, the Nassau University Medical also provided health screenings.

“The fire department, the police department, NAACP, the Lakeview council,” added Pastor William Thomas, Sheila’s father, who also helped organize the event. “It’s an opportunity for them to interact with the community.”

For those not participating in the basketball tournament, Kohl's Cares, the library, and a DJ connected with St. John’s Baptist Church to provide books, story time, music and other entertaining events.

“The majority of people come from different places, used to live in Lakeview and they come back,” Sheila said. “That’s the part that I love that they come back. It’s like a big family reunion. They get a chance to connect and share their thoughts of life, or where they are and where they're going.”

Those who played in the basketball tournament when it started 27 years ago, now have children who participate in the same tournament. Sheila described it as “a beautiful cycle of life.”

Despite people moving on from the Lakeview community, Sheila said, they always hold onto the memory that Lakeview is their home.

“It's coming together and it’s important that we as a community never forget your neighbor,” Sheila said. “When we have these events, it gives us a chance to remember each other.”

“It’s a community event, and the community is there,” William said. “It’s a great time to come together, enjoy each other, promoting harmony within the community and promoting the community at large.”

The goal for the Lakeview community, William said, is to set an example for the world, showing that joy, happiness, and a desire to enjoy life can be achieved.

“We want to be a model throughout the world that people can live together,” William said. “People can enjoy one another; people can respect one another.”