17th annual carnival brings fun, rides and more to the streets of Floral Park, Stewart Manor
Would you like to kiss a bulldog, taste a fried Oreo or hop on a mechanical ride? If you do, then get ready because the Covert Avenue Street Express is coming to Floral Park and Stewart Manor this weekend.
Thousands are expected to attend the 17th annual Covert Avenue Chamber of Commerce Street Fair, which takes place on Saturday, Sept. 17, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., featuring tons of family fun, food, vendors, face painting, bouncy and mechanical rides, inflatable bouncers, singers, dancers, and musical performances, from Tulip to Cisney avenues.
Established in 1993, The Covert Avenue Chamber of Commerce was formed to incorporate the businesses along Covert Avenue to unite the villages of Floral Park and Stewart Manor, according to its website. Each year the chamber organizes the “street fair” in an effort to have residents become familiar with local merchants.
Covert Avenue President Cathy Grassman explains that the fair is a unique opportunity for local Covert Avenue merchants to introduce themselves to the local community. She also stressed that this year’s event will offer even more family fun than ever before. “We’re trying to make it more like a carnival, with more rides. It’s not just coming and shopping, but to bring out the merchants here,” Grassman said.
After a year of planning for the big event, Grassman says merchants and businesses on both sides of Covert Avenue really come together as one united community. “Both villages, between the mayors and the trustees worked so beautifully together… It is really nice,” Grassman said.
If you are an animal lover, the Town of Hempstead Animal Shelter pet adoptions and Pack Ethic Rescue will be on site, as well as Long Island Bulldog Rescue’s kissing booth, where you can get a kiss from a bulldog. Attendees may bring along a bag of food to support Pack Ethic and a few local rescue organizations. With every dog food donation, you can get your pets’ nails clipped for free at Jo-Mar Grooming & Boarding, according to Grassman.
Don’t forget about the prize raffles. The big grand prize is three nights at Walt Disney World with two-day passes for two people; second prize wins a Basket of Cheer; and third Prize is a $25 Gift Certificate at a Chamber Member Store. Raffle Tickets cost $1 each (book of 6 for $5) and can be purchased at Sewanhaka Travel.
For more information, call 516-488-2705; or visit the website at www.covertavechamber.com.
