Plainview Chamber Holds Fall Festival

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Emphasizing the play in its tagline, the Plainview-Old Bethpage Chamber of Commerce’s Fall Festival delighted attendees of all ages on a sunny end of September Sunday. Whether it was a salty pickle or pretzel, hand-carved wood sculpture or cutting board, bouncy house or face painting, impressive performance from a brown belt or a group of in-sync singers and dancers, the seventh annual festival offered something to please everyone in the Plainview-Old Bethpage community where residents “live, work and play.”

“We are so happy to be the home of this wonderful event,” said Gretchen Browne, director of the Plainview library. “The festival takes this central gathering spot and extends it, literally, offering our residents, and others, a fun, family-oriented day of outdoor enjoyment.”

For the first time, the festival was anchored by two presenting sponsors: Platinum sponsors Akiva Shapiro Law, PLLC and TD Bank (a gold level sponsor in 2016 and 2017). Several silver sponsors and a boost in bronze level sponsors helped shatter records for 2018.
“These local businesses are the backbone of this annual event,” pointed out chamber president Andrew Lamkin. “With their loyal support we are able to orchestrate this special day for the Plainview-Old Bethpage community.”

On the east side of the library parking lot, the Town or Oyster Bay Showmobile featured a steady stream of entertainment and on the west end, the action was all about the chamber’s prize wheel—generously loaned each year by Plainview’s St. Pius parish. In the center of it all were 99 vendors, featuring a mixture of crafts and unique merchandise peppered with proud chamber member businesses happy to be interacting with the community.

Back at the prize wheel, eager players paid $1 for a single spin or $5 for a chance to spin, to be eligible for the big screen TV (donated by Beechwood Homes) and to take a guess at the amount in the money jar. Debra Fortunado was the lucky TV winner and chamber member Fred Morante came the closest at guessing the contents of the money jar: It contained $137.73. More than 50 area businesses donated the eclectic range of prizes and the chamber is extremely thankful for their generosity.

All proceeds from the raffle earnings—almost $800—will be donated to the chamber’s new charity partner for 2018-19, Birthday Wishes of Long Island. The Hicksville-based nonprofit provides birthday parties for homeless children in Nassau and Suffolk counties. With these funds, and others which will be raised throughout the year, the organization can provide presents, cake, party favors and a memorable birthday experience for children in shelters.

Planning for the single day event began back on a cold February morning at the Mid-Island Y JCC, and the chamber is grateful for their continued use of space for meetings and events. Seven months later, the committees’ hard work showed. Board member Ned Marzigliano chaired the festival for the first time and with his leadership, took the event to new heights. Many thanks to all the committee members, especially Ben Alssid of C2 education who worked tirelessly, and to the staff of the Plainview-Old Bethpage Library for their contributions as well.

Chamber Thanks Its Fall Festival Sponsors

Platinum Sponsors

Akiva Shapiro Law PLLC and TD Bank

Silver Sponsors

State Farm Insurance—Ned Marzigliano Agency
Law Offices of Elan Wurtzel, PC
Str8Smiles Orthodontics
The Family College Experience
Northwell Health—Plainview and Syosset Hospitals
Sterling National Bank
Central Island Healthcare

Journal Sponsors

PSLI: Psychological Services Long Island
Drexler Construction Corp.
Family Bagels
Oland Property Loss Consultants, Ltd.
Regent Investigations Corp.
ACGTelecom/Atantic Computer Group, Inc.
La Piazza