Thousands gathered Friday on Tulip Avenue under the hot sun to browse booths set up by local businesses, restaurants and organizations during the Annual Floral Park Street Festival.
The event – co-hosted by the Floral Park Chamber of Commerce, New York Racing Association and Belmont Stakes – has been running for more than 20 years, resuming in 2023 after a three-year hiatus due to the pandemic.
“It’s a very family-oriented community and when we see 8- and 10-year-old kids driving up and down on their bikes, that shows you a lot about the community and the bond that we have as residents,” said Chris Vassiliou, a Floral Park Chamber of Commerce board member.
Vassiliou, who owns the Floral Park Diner, said many Floral Park business owners also live in the village.
“That’s why it’s kind of special,” Vassilou said. “Everybody knows each other. It’s a good thing.”
William Barry, Uptown Taco owner and another member of the Chamber of Commerce, organized the street festival and called it “fun for all ages.”
Some children whizzed between passersby on scooters while others visited face painting, balloon animal and henna booths.
Young hip-hop and jazz dancers performed in a recital at the start of the evening’s festivities, gathering a large crowd of family members and spectators.
Two young boys walked up and down the avenue, soliciting donations for the Knights of Columbus during the street fair.
Live musicians and DJs performed during the festival, starting before sunset and playing late into the evening.
Locally owned restaurants, including Jack Duggan’s Pub and Restaurant, Jameson’s and Nonna’s Italian Deli and Market, served up delicious bites from their booths.
Food trucks and stands offering classic street fare lined the street, including Pete’s Zeppole and Fried Oreos, Bayside Lemonade and Corn and Knot of this World of Levittown, which sold fresh hot pretzels
Long Island businesses set up booths at the fair, including Blank Slate Media, Floral Park Fitness Studio, ShipNYC, Coach Realtors and more.
Local civic organization members operated booths at the event, too, including the New York Islanders, Knights of Columbus, Hance Family Foundation, Floral Park Fire Department, American Legion, Wednesday Mothers’ Club, Our Lady of Victory Parish and Operation Wounded Warrior.
