Sunny skies, live music, and tasty food made the 27th annual New Hyde Park Street Fair a day of fun for attendees.
The fair was on Jericho Turnpike from New Hyde Park Road to Lakeville Road on Sept. 21. Outside vendors and New Hyde Park Village hosted this annual event and encouraged local businesses to set up stands where residents could learn about their services.
The event featured vendors selling crafts, food, raffles, giveaways, games, prizes, and more. The fire department conducted demonstrations, such as vehicle extraction, hose operations, and EMS assessments.
For entertainment, there were blow-up inflatable rides for kids, and the band Hambones played live music.
“The turnout is a little slow right now, but it seems to be picking up so I think we’re going to have a strong finish,” Jeanette Frisina, past president of the New Hyde Park Chamber of Commerce, said around noon.
Frisina said at least 500 people were at the fair in the morning, along with over a 100 of vendors.
“It’s a good community day. The whole community comes out, whether you’re selling stuff, whether you’re buying stuff, whether you’re having fun, whether the kids are going to go on the rides or fire engine,” Frisina said. “It’s a day for everybody at every age.”
Frisina said this year’s theme is “Shop Local,” which means to support local businesses in the New Hyde Park community. Dozens of local businesses set up shop on the street, selling a variety of merchandise.
Franklin Square business Sunshine Bees Apiary was selling handcrafted natural skin products made with locally sourced honey. The skin products sold at the stand included a variety of soaps with scents like coconut, jasmine, tobacco and bay leaf, lilac, rose, and more.
Robin Spigonardo was at the fair with her business Knot Too Shabby Crafts. She was selling home decor, florals and engraved items.
“We repurpose all vintage items,” Spigonardo said. “So we drill through, screw together bird feeders, bird houses and we just give everything another life.”
Local organizations in attendance included the Veterans Association, Knights of Columbus, Boy Scouts — who were selling water and giving away raffles — and offices of local elected officials.
The purpose of this street fair, according to Frisina, is to bring attention to small businesses.
She said this fair helps showcase all of the village’s businesses and allows neighbors to support them while also having fun.
Frisina said there will be a 28th annual street fair “and beyond.”