The first Manhasset Al Fresco was canceled this Sunday due to predicted thunderstorms during the 4-9 p.m. duration of the event. The cancellation was announced last Friday on the Manhasset Al Fresco event page on Facebook at 8:22 p.m.
The event, which takes place every other Sunday starting June 12 and ending on Sept. 18, promotes local businesses, outdoor dining, and live entertainment along Plandome Road.
“The Manhasset Chamber had to make the call early on Friday with understanding of the businesses and the restaurants before having to call in extra staff,” said Matthew Donno, one of the two co-presidents of the Manhasset Chamber of Commerce. “Some of them order extra food and extra tables, so we wanted to save them the expense.”
According to Donno, the entertainment that was scheduled to participate, which included the Elite Automotive Repair car show, Manhasset High School Contemporary Ensemble, Liam Morrisey, Glenn Strange Band, a ceremony honoring the Manhasset High School boys’ varsity basketball team for their state championship, and the Dave Diamond Band, is to be rescheduled for the end of September.
“If they can’t participate, we’ll try to shuffle them into another date throughout the Al Fresco season,” said Donno.
The ceremony to honor the Manhasset High School boys’ basketball team, which won their first state championship since 1986, instead took place at the Plandome Country Club. North Hempstead Town Supervisor Jennifer DeSena and New York State Assemblywoman Gina Sillitti were also in attendance.
“It was unfortunate that we had to have the event indoors instead of outdoors,” said Bobby Anastasia, a Manhasset resident and announcer for the team. “It was a shame that we couldn’t really get the community involved, especially with the young kids in town who idolize some of these players, but it was still a nice ceremony.”
The kick-off is rescheduled for Sunday, June 26, 2022 at 4 p.m. Performances scheduled for the date include a ribbon-cutting at the 40 Love Lifestyle shop, the Kids Community Talent Show, DJ Kieran, Liam Morrisey, and the Hat Trixx Live Band. Outdoor dining options will include Louie’s Manhasset, Greens Irish Pub, Pita Station, Gino’s, Pho, Publicans, and Carvel.