Family Festival Sails into Town

Submitted by ub on

Golden autumn sunshine and refreshing ocean breezes create a perfect setting for the Town of Hempstead’s Family Festival by the Sea on Saturday, September 28 and Sunday, September 29 from 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., in beautiful Lido Beach. Residents and visitors alike are invited to ride a wave of fun and excitement into Lido Beach Town Park for a weekend of live concerts, delicious food, craft and novelty vendors, sand sculptures, circus entertainers, eating contests and great children’s shows.

You can also satisfy your “appetite” for competition by sampling a “taste” of the Clam and Rib Eating Contests on Saturday, September 28 at 1 p.m. The festival’s youthful flavor is highlighted by puppet shows, circus performers, animal acts, pony rides, a petting zoo and Cool Science exhibits. This year’s festival will welcome Radio Disney on Saturday afternoon from noon till 4 pm with a fun-filled afternoon of games, contests and give-aways.

Guests can also stroll the boardwalk to water’s edge to “dig” the sand castle contest, “wave” to surfers in Saturday’s tournament or cheer on athletes in Sunday’s Biathlon. K98.3’s popular morning team “Steve & Leeana” will be on hand Saturday to meet their fans and spin the station’s wheel of prizes.

“With beautiful Lido Beach Town Park as a picture perfect setting, the Family Festival celebrates our township’s cherished nautical heritage,” stated Supervisor Kate Murray. “Considered one of Long Island’s signature autumn attractions, the festival offers an entire weekend of action-packed family fun.”

Family Festival sponsors include Swingbellys Beachside BBQ of Long Beach, and Cool Kitchen of Melville. Additional support has been provided by Atlantic Nursery of Freeport.

Anyone interested in entering the Clam Eating or Rib Eating contests can call (516) 812-3307. The Family Festival runs from 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on both Saturday, September 29 and Sunday, September 30. Lido Beach Town Park is located at 630 Lido Boulevard in Lido Beach. Admission and parking are FREE. Phone numbers at the park are (516) 431-6650, (516) 801-5647 and (516) 801-5648.

Family Up-to-the-minute festival information is available by calling either (516) 292-9000, ext. 382 or (516) 812-3307. All Town of Hempstead Parks Department programs and facilities are presented on the town web site at TOH.LI.