Oyster Bay’s “Dancing in the Street” returns this summer for its 13th season. The weekly street fair began on July 5 and will continue through August 16.
This annual series is held by the Oyster Bay Main Street Association (OBMSA) and is free to the public. Dancing began on Friday, July 5 and will continue every Friday until mid-August. The event starts at 6:30 p.m. and will end at 9:30 p.m.
“Dancing in the Street is a vibrant community event,” said Sarah Kostakis, director of development at the OBMSA. “It brings people together for music, dancing and a lively downtown atmosphere. We started this event thirteen years ago to create a fun, engaging space for residents and visitors to enjoy our local businesses and each other’s company.”
The event takes place around the Derby-Hall Bandstand, where Louis Del Prete leads dances. Del Prete is one of Long Island’s most popular DJs and will play a wide variety of music, from 1940s hits to modern classics and pop music.
Dancers of all ages and skill levels are encouraged to join, and there will be both single and couple dances for anyone who wants to bring a partner.
Residents who do not want to participate in dancing are welcome to join as well. Attendees are welcome to bring lawn chairs and enjoy the music, atmosphere and community.
There will be local vendors selling food, drinks and goods at each event. It is a great way to involve the community and local businesses. These vendors will vary each week, so attendees can expect something new.
“You can expect to see a diverse range of vendors, predominantly from our local community, and they vary each week,” said Kostakis. “We’ve got everything from food trucks and artisans to local boutiques and specialty shops. It’s a great way to support our local businesses while enjoying the event.”
This year’s event has been expanded to be larger than the previous seasons and will include new additions to the series.
Promotion Chair Diane Maltzer said, “Hard to believe this is the 13th year of what has become a beloved Oyster Bay summer tradition. And this season we are looking forward to new ideas geared to make these Friday nights even more special for everyone!”
On August 2, the event series will host its first-ever block party.
“This year’s Dancing in the Street has been more dynamic than ever, with more people joining in and even more community participation,” said Kostakis.
She continued: “The biggest highlight is our first-ever full-scale block party on August 2, which will offer even more entertainment, activities and surprises for everyone.”
Audrey Avenue will be shut down for residents to explore and streets will be filled with music and activities for all to enjoy. There will be events for all ages, and food and drink will be available from food trucks and vendors.
At its first event on July 5, “Dancing in the Street” had over 250 attendees. Residents enjoyed music, dancing, strolling the historic downtown and interacting with other members of the community.
In addition to dancing, there are children’s activities, such as arts and crafts, chalk drawing and special activities hosted by local businesses. The series is appropriate for all ages, and families are encouraged to come for a fun-filled evening.
The event is sponsored by Stellina Ristorante, Stellina Bakery & Café, The WIne Line and Sabrina’s Candy & Creamery. All of these businesses are located in downtown Oyster Bay.
“Dancing in the Street” is one of the many community-building events that the OBMSA puts on. It aims to revitalize the downtown area and encourage community involvement.
For more information, please visit www.oysterbaymainstreet.org.
“We encourage everyone to take the time to explore the entire downtown area, as there’s so much to discover and enjoy,” said Kostakis.
