Thousands turned out for the Westbury B.I.D. Street Fair this past Saturday, Oct. 24, to enjoy food, games, shopping and the best of the village’s offerings.
There was something for everyone at this year’s fair. Despite being rescheduled from its earlier date in the month due to bad weather, the street fair still drew a large gathering of residents and vendors from all over Long Island.
“Anything you reschedule something like that, it’s usually not as good the second time,” said Mayor Peter Cavallaro. “But I think it went really good and they actually got more vendors because there was less competition for other events.”
Dawn Blinn, Executive Director of the Westbury Business Improvement District (B.I.D.) which organized the fair, echoed the mayor’s sentiments, saying that despite the new date, the fair was a huge success.
“Even after having to reschedule the fair, it truly turned out to be a great day for everyone involved. We had over 100 vendors with a huge variety of foods and items for sale, great entertainment and wonderful people all around,” Blinn said. “It was a good day for the village, the B.I.D. and its businesses, residents and local organizations alike.”
Attendees perused the booths of vendors selling jewelry, clothing and services; as well as enjoyed the plethora of delicious food items, including fried Oreos, pretzels, calzones, and more.
In the piazza, fair-goers could enjoy the musical talents of Center State Music Center students, Butchers Blind, Willy and the Poor Boys, the Laia Kay Band and White Lightning. Nearby, the Westbury Fire Department offered children a look inside one of their trucks. Children also took a turn on the inflatable carnival rides and pony rides.
The Greater Westbury Council for the Arts had a street chalk mosaic, which was quickly filled up with art from passers-by. Local seniors sold handmade goods, an extension of that day’s bazaar at the Westbury Senior Center.
The fair was a great way for local organizations, such as Boy Scout Troop 233, the Westbury Historical Society, and Public Safety Committee, to promote what they do for the community.
The fair put a spotlight on all that Westbury’s downtown had to offer, and at the end of the day, that was what it was all about.
“It’s a great way to bring people into the downtown who don’t live around here or don’t spend a lot of time on Post Avenue,” said Cavallaro. “It’s very impactful.”
