Family-fun festivals hit the streets of Long Island
Popular blocks in Bellmore, Stewart Manor, Mineola and Franklin Square will be closed to vehicles and open for rides, food and shopping opportunities galore to take over the streets Sept. 20-23.
Bellmore Family Street Festival, Bellmore LIRR Station, Sunrise Highway and Bedford Avenue. Sept. 20-23.
The 32nd annual fest opens on Thursday with midway games and rides, including the Gondola Wheel and the Polar Express, which are offered all four days; and on Friday, live entertainment is featured on Pettit Avenue. On Saturday and Sunday, stop by for the added attractions, like the craft vendors (more than 100) and Craft Expo (with Bellmore merchants), a petting zoo and a Kids Expo with kid-friendly rides. New this year is the Boneology Show with Dr. Bones and “Dragon Scales and Faerie Tales Show,” also featured on Saturday and Sunday. Opens: Thursday and Friday at 6 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday at 11 a.m. Full schedule at website below.
Stewart Manor’s Covert Avenue Street Fair, between Tulip and Cisney Avenues. Sept. 22.
This 24th annual quarter-mile fair, located at the intersection of three Nassau villages, features a Giant Craft Mall with more than 100 vendors selling their wares. Families can have a blast on the huge inflatable rides or climb up the towering rock wall. There’s even a mechanical bull to try out and a hula-hooping contest! Local food from downtown Stewart Manor and live music are also featured throughout the day. Hours: 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Mineola Street Fair, along Jericho Turnpike between Mineola Boulevard and Willis Avenue. Sept. 23.
Find handmade and unique treasures from the stands of more than 100 vendors, as well as food trucks and merchants from local restaurants, stationed along the turnpike. Attractions also include a petting zoo, pony rides and inflatables for kids. Hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Franklin Square Street Fair, along Franklin Avenue. Sept. 23.
There’s a half-mile of fun offerings at this outdoor fair, hosted and sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Franklin Square. Here, you can chow down on fair-food-favorites, like sausage and peppers, zeppoles and cannoli; and, peruse the Giant Craft Mall, with more than 120 vendors. As you walk along the avenue, also check out the rock wall, mechanical bull, inflatable kids’ rides and live music. Hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Bellmore Family Street Festival: 516-809-5892 · bellmorechamber.com
Covert Avenue Street Fair: 516-644-5615 · lifairs.com
Mineola Street Fair: 516-319-4465 · mineolachamber.com
Franklin Square Street Fair: 516-644-5615 · lifairs.com