Children were center stage at the first ever JuneFest in Great Neck Plaza on a sunny Sunday afternoon, showcasing their skills in art, music, dancing and martial arts.
Hundreds flocked to the inaugural festival on Grace Avenue, where a variety of groups put on performances. In addition to these shows, people could also play games for prizes, enjoy carnival rides, indulge in ice cream or dare to climb the blow-up “Rocky Mountain.”
Ron Edelson, executive director of the Great Neck Plaza Business Improvement District, which put on the festival, said the goal was to attract members of the community and “give them a good time together.”
“We’re trying to do something that brings the community together, that has something for all segments of our community to enjoy together and focus it on that,” Edelson said.
Performances were by the Great Neck Chinese Association, Sephardic Heritage Alliance, ConfiDanze & Fitness, Silverstein Hebrew Academy, Katya’s School of Dance, Great Neck School of Dance, A+ Martial Arts, Art of the Dance World, and New York Music and Arts Inc.
Edelson also said JuneFest was an outgrowth of last October’s community street fair, where local groups performed as part of the entertainment on two stages on the ends of Bond Street.
Now, Edelson said the business improvement district is going to see if the timing was ideal and speak again with different groups about what they want to see in JuneFest going forward.
Photos by Janelle Clausen
