The Floral Park Belmont Stakes Festival sponsored by the chamber of commerce, NYRA, and the village was a success. The event could not have gone so well without the participation Floral Park businesses, entertainers, and community members. The festival included face painters and performers provided by Event King; inflatable-bouncy rides provided by Send in the Clowns; and food from local Floral Park eateries. Attendees also participated in raffles generously donated by TD Bank, Pita Park, Butts & Such, J Fallons Tap Room, Korner Kutters, AAA Taxi, Poppy’s Place, Floral Station Deli, Village Pizza, LAI Acupuncture, Sewanhaka Travel, Pellegrini Meats, Ben Peters Hair Salon, Salon DiCaperci, Sheishinkan Martial Arts, JoMar Grooming, Carriage Trade Insurance, Michael D. Squire DDS, Eileen Dolan and the Keats Agency.
While families enjoyed samples from Dee Dee’s Luncheonette, taking pictures in a model airplane from the Cradle of Aviation Museum, or petting dogs from the Long Island Bulldog Rescue, they also enjoyed entertainment by local bands such as R.A.K.E., Something and the Vintage, John Kouris and the Hambones, The RVO Band, Tom Kelly and the Real Deal, Blue Eyed Soul, Rear View Mirror. Attendees were also treated to performances by Center Stage Dancers, Dancin’ Queens Dance Studio, and the Floral Park Memorial High School Florettes. Vendor booths lined Tulip Ave. from Plainfield to Verbena avenues and along the side streets. Attendees enjoyed the food stands of Lemonade Drinks, Pita Park, Capo’s, Floral Station Deli, Twisted Yogurt, Village Pizza, Jack Duggans, Graziellas Bakery, Poparazzi Corn, Jamesons, Poppy’s Place, Park Place, and more. Members of the American Legion, Citizens Party, Rotary, Floral Park Art League, Jr. Women’s Club, and others participated. Floral Park’s service departments were also represented with the fire, police and public works departments on hand. Thanks to Cathy Grasman of Jo-Mar Grooming & Boarding, who chaired the committee and worked tirelessly to organize the fair, and to the committee and volunteers: Theresa Whalen of Sterling Sign Company, Judy Torre of Senior Service Assistants, Mike Jakob of Carriage Trade Insurance, Karen Meraglia of TD Bank, Rich Vitello of AAA Taxi, Stephen Wickes of One Sound Label, and Jennifer McKendry of Wags to Whiskers.
— Floral Park Chamber of Commerce
