RSS 2.0 FeedOctober 13, 2011, Merrick Life
Merrick Festival falls later this year
October 22 and 23 is the 21st Annual Festival.
We’re gonna need a bigger boat... The Atlantic Long Island Aquarium and Exhibition Center will be one of the many exhibitors at the 21st Annual Merrick Fall Festival October 22 and 23.
The 2011 Merrick Chamber of Commerce will host its 21st Annual Fall Festival on October 22 and 23, later in the season than usual – but that’s not a bad thing.
“I think pushing the date back to late October will be a benefit. There aren’t many local festivals going on at the same time,” said event co-chair Ira Reiter.
The carnival rides by Newton Shows will be open Friday, October 21, at 6 p.m. in the train station parking lot, Merrick Avenue will be closed to traffic from 8 a.m.-6 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday, October 22 and 23.
“Like last year, we will be spotlighting local Merrick businesses and services throughout the weekend, and hosting a variety of professional crafters (from Nassau County craft shows) along with food from around the world. Those that want to join the chamber get a free booth space as part of their membership benefits package,” said Randy Shotland, the group’s president.
“This year we will also be honoring our American heroes from the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, veterans, police, firefighters, EMS workers and veterans. We will have a special tribute to these men and women on Saturday, October 22, at 11 a.m. with our elected officials and board members to kick off the festival,” added Mr. Shotland.
At press time other events planned include a performance by “Elvis” on Saturday (2 p.m.) and the annual Halloween Parade at 2 p.m. on Sunday on the Showmobile. A performance of children’s show “Chasing Rainbows in Me” will be on Sunday at the gazebo.
There will be free bus tours of historical sites both days given by the Historical Society of the Merricks. To take the tour you must make a reservation in advance by e-mailing Jerry Medowar, the tour guide, at judgejerry@optonline.net or call 623-6739.
The North Merrick Tour will be given on Saturday, October 22, the South Merrick Tour will be given on Sunday, October 23. Tour times are 11 a.m., 12:30 p.m., and 2 p.m. Each tour will last about 45 minutes. When you make a reservation, leave your name, address, phone number and the number of adults and children you are reserving for and your choice of tour time.
The tour group will gather at the gazebo and walk to the first location after which they will pick up the bus near the Hewlett Avenue entrance of the LIRR parking lot.
Closer to the festival, more information will be available in your local newspaper, online and at www.merrickchamber.org. Interested businesses can also get festival and membership applications online.
Gold sponsors are CBSfm 101.1 and fresh 102.7 radio stations.
The Chamber of Commerce is an all volunteer organization that sponsors numerous events year-round in the Merricks. Funds raised from the Fall Festival support Holiday Lights program as well as other beautification projects in the town’s shopping districts. Chamber membership fee covers the cost of your booth for this festival and the Kidsfest that happens in the spring, so why not join?
Other programs sponsored (co-sponsored) include Man and Woman of the Year, Merchant and Professional of the Year, Tree and Menorah Lightings, Kidsfest, networking meetings and one of the largest Chamber of Commerce scholarship awards in the state.
For information call the chamber hotline at 771-1171, e-mail merrickchamber@aol.com, or visit the web at www.merrickchamber.org. You can also join the Facebook page, Merrick Chamber of Commerce, for updates and changes.
