Tens of thousands of Long Islanders spent a sunny Sunday afternoon at the Village of Great Neck’s annual craft fair, as more than 100 vendors lined Middle Neck Road from Fairview to Arrandale Avenues.
“This year there were a lot of people walking around enjoying themselves,” said Village of Great Neck Deputy Mayor Mitchell Beckerman. “It was very very well attended.”
The fair, which has been a village tradition for more than 30 years, featured vendors selling food, clothing, jewelry, furniture and other craft goods.
“It’s an annual celebration for the village, for the residents, for the peninsula,” Beckerman said. “This is a real nice local meet-and-greet.”
Visitors also took advantage of family-friendly activities on the Village Green, including pony rides and a petting zoo.
Proceeds from the fair from vendor fees go towards a village fund to beautify Middle Neck Road. Beckerman said the total amount raised will not be known for a couple of weeks.
The Great Neck Park District supported the fair by opening up the Village Green for activities, including a climbing wall from the park district and an agility course put on by the local boy scout troop.
“This is what we want to do,” said Beckerman. “This is why the park is the center of the village downtown.”
Local non-profit groups, including the Great Neck Historical Society and the Great Neck Library, also had booths at the fair.
Beckerman noted that weather was perfect for the day’s festivities – and that he had predicted a sunny day weeks earlier.
“I was very happy with the turnout. I was very happy with the weather,” he said. “A lot of people were happy to be out. It was good.”
