In a celebration of its growing diversity, the Great Neck community will gather to celebrate the different cultures on the peninsula.
The Great Neck Plaza Business Improvement District and the Village of Great Neck Plaza announced last week that they will host the first annual Multicultural Fest on June 26.
Ron Edelson, executive director of the business improvement district, said Great Neck has become home to different types of people and communities and it is time to celebrate what makes Great Neck “great.”
“The diversity of cultures found in our region is, to a large extent, what makes Great Neck such a wonderful place to live,” Edelson said. “The Multicultural Fest, our very first, gives us a chance to celebrate this diversity and gives families a fun, cost-effective way to have a memorable day.”
The event, which takes place on Middle Neck Road between Grace Avenue and Maple Drive, begins at noon and ends at 10 p.m.
Edelson said there will be live entertainment throughout the day, including the Asian-American Circle of Unity, which performs music and ceremonial dance, Katya’s School of Dance, Nina Et Cetera, a regionally known cover band, and the Klezical Tradition, performing traditional and modern klezmer music.
The day will also include a caricaturist, a face painter and a Chinese name writer, available on a first come, first served basis.
There will also be bounce houses and other activities for children.
Some Great Neck Plaza restaurants and food establishments will participate in the event, including Chez Karma, Gino’s, Muzi, Burger Village and Häagen-Dazs.
Edelson said the event is similar to the AutoFest and Street Festival.
According to BID officials, traffic will be diverted around the section of Middle Neck Road where the event will take place beginning at 11 a.m.
The Great Neck Plaza BID’s mission is to foster and promote a positive and vital business community through various initiatives including consumer awareness programs, media and advertising campaigns and sponsorship of events including the annual Great Neck Plaza AutoFest and Street Festival.
