The Mineola Street Fair drew several thousand people on what started out as a bright, warm Sunday featuring a full roster of live entertainment on two stages in downtown Mineola.
It was the second straight year that the fair has been held downtown in an expanded format along Mineola Boulevard, 1st Street, 2nd Street and Main Street conceived by the Mineola Chamber of Commerce, which sponsors the event. The fair was well attended until a steady rain shower that temporarily dispersed the crowd around 3 p.m.
“Overall, it was a great crowd until the rain. Everybody seemed to be pleased,” said Steve Ford, chamber vice president and owner of Willis Hobbies. “When the rain came, everybody seemed to go into the stores.”
Ford said all the vendors were happy with the fair despite the shower. About an hour after the rain storm, he said it was more crowded on Main and 2nd
Rev. Chester Easton of the First Presbyterian Church in Mineola delivered a rousing rendition of the Star-Spangled Banner early in the afternoon as a prelude to remarks from Mineola Mayor Scott Strauss.
“It’s a great day for Mineola. It’s a great for Mineola,” Strauss said.
He exhorted fair-goers to sample the food and the wares at the vendor booths and come back to Mineola to dine and shop.
Bill Greene, president of the Mineola Chamber and owner of Tsontos Furs, said chamber members “are absolutely ecstatic” about the way the event was turning out.
“Everything came together, the weather most particularly,” he said, early in the day. “The fair just gets bigger and bigger each year. We have a lot more entertainment that most street fairs I’ve been to.”
Greene cited the live entertainment as a reason for the fair’s big draw. He said participation from local vendors, who had taken the 120 booth spots in advance, was also a reason for the fair’s success.
People at the fair were treated to performances from Frank Sinatra sound-alike Andrew Anton at the main stage on Mineola Boulevard early on. He was followed by a series of dancers from Dance Dynamics of Mineola performing Broadway tunes. An Irish step dance group followed them. Dancers of Dreams from the Mineola Portuguese Society, accompanied by the lilting chords of accordian players concluded performances on the main stage as the rains came.
Nearby along 1st Street, children were romping, bouncing around and sliding down three large sections of an inflatable playground.
Around the corner, two Mercedes Benzes, vintage 1961 and 1953, turned fair-goers heads.
On the Main Street Stage, a large, enthusiastic crowd gathered to hear veteran crooner Tommy Swift and the Cascades singing classic pop standards like “There’s A Start Out Tonight” and “Under the Boardwalk.”
“They’re great,” said Mineola resident John Carroll, adding, “It’s a great day for a walk.”
The Cascades were followed by a group from the American Jazz School, which offers weekly Sunday classes.
People were visibly enjoying the chance to stroll the thoroughfares, and browse the booths of local organizations and vendors.
The local Evening Star Quilters group which was promoting its upcoming Harvest of Quilts competitive exhibit on Nov. 3 and 4 in the Mineola Community Center. The Mineola Historical Society was promoting its presence on Westbury Avenue.
The Mineola Volunteer Ambulance Corps was promoting its service, selling raffle tickets to raise money and giving out blue plastic Junior EMT helmets to youngsters.
Local pet bird and fish merchant For Birds Only had a booth on 2nd Street with a live parrot on display.
Behind the bandstand on 2nd Street, youngsters had an opportunity to feed llamas and sheep in a small petting zoo. And on Mineola Boulevard, they could try their hand at making clay pots at the Island Pottery & Studio booth.
Across the street, people could take a few minutes on a stationary bike with the guidance of a trainer from Revolution Fitness, the latest fitness gym in town.
Mineola Boulevard restaurants, including Andiamo, Vinoco and Eleanor Rigby’s had outdoor seating, as did Jericho Turnpike- based Piccola Bussola. PS Burgers, Vito’s Bakery and Michaelango’s Pizzeria also participated.
Near the Mineola Boulevard stage, boys from Cub Scout Pack 246 were selling water for $1 and reporting that business was “great.”
And with Election Day approaching, politicians were on parade, with state Assemblyman Edward Ra, state Sen. Jack Martins and Nassau County District Court Judge Scott Fairgrieve all in attendance.
