The 26th annual Covert Avenue Street Fair is set to return on Saturday, Oct. 15, ending a two-year hiatus following a fire in September 2020 that damaged over 10 buildings.
The quarter-mile event on Covert will take place from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tulip to Cisney Avenue, rain or shine, and feature at least 80 community groups and vendors, food trucks, inflatable rides, live music and a pumpkin patch, among other attractions.
For food, a food truck show called the Tasty Tailgate will involve Mama’s Cuban Kitchen, Extreme Empanadas, The Cone Depot with different food varieties served in waffle cones, B Bistro serving Vietnamese cuisine, Smoke ‘n Wheelz with barbeque, Frankie’s Famous Zeppoles, Zef’s Pizza Firetruck and Knot of This World pretzels, among others.
Additionally, Pellegrini’s will be serving sausage and peppers and burgers.
In 2020, Floral Park police responded to reports of a building fire at the Park Place Bar and Grill at 41 Covert Ave.
When they arrived at the scene, officers saw fire and smoke pouring from the building that extended to at least 11 other adjacent storefronts, according to a news release from the Nasau Police Department.
Firefighters from the Floral Park Fire Department along with the Manhasset-Lakeville Fire Department, Great Neck Vigilant Fire Company, the New Hyde Park Fire Department and almost 20 others were represented at the scene throughout the day.
Nassau County Assistant Chief Fire Marshal Michael Uttaro said at the time it took firefighters more than four hours to control the fire.
Six businesses sustained major damage or were destroyed, while four others were damaged by smoke, Uttaro said. A private residence also had smoke damage, officials said.
Neighboring stores to Park Place affected by the fire included Villager’s Perk, Shin’s Tae Kwon Do, Luna Eyelash, Capo Ristorante, Covert Nail & Spa, Covert Barber Shop, Original V.I. Pizza, Covert Optical and K. Hunter Boutique.
Fund-raisers sponsored by Floral Park community leaders and the village’s Chamber of Commerce raised more than $37,000 for the damaged businesses.
Kids will have a bevy of games and ride options Saturday, including the towering rock wall, inflatable slides, bouncy houses and obstacle course. There will also be the Choo Choo Express.
Two new additions this year include Toxic Meltdown, an inflatable survivor game that has two foam arms spinning and players need to avoid while staying on their respective platforms.
There will also be an inflatable maze game called Dizzy X, which spins players in the middle of the maze before they must maneuver their way out.
At the north end of the fair will be a showmobile which will feature the opening ceremony at 11 a.m. before musical acts and demonstrations throughout the day.
Music includes the band In the Mix performing the Barry White Experience featuring Ejyp Johnson, a demonstration from the Floral Park Memorial High School kickline and solo artists from Breakout Performances singing different covers from Disney, Broadway and the Rat Pack.
As always, Saturday will also include the giant craft fair, pumpkin patch courtesy of the Lions Club, face painting and raffles.
The event is held in conjunction with L.I. fairs and will be emceed by members of the Big Brothers Big Sisters of America Rise Up program.
