Mineola Street Fair has sunny turnout

The Island Now
The Mineola Street Fair pictured in 2019. (Photo by Carrie Ann Salvi)

By Carrie Ann Salvi

Doris McPherson was in her early teens in the 1950s when she first attended the Mineola Street Fair, she recalled Sunday. 

“I rode from Brooklyn on the back of a motorcycle,” she said. 

It was a nice day trip. We came to walk around and see farmers with their homegrown food. There were animals everywhere,” she reminisced, faintly recalling the possibility of a rodeo. 

Now in her 80s, she sat by the stage proudly watching her granddaughter glide across it gracefully, dancing a tango ballet. Next up she would perform a theatrical dance from Broadway’s “Thoroughly Modern Millie.”

The number was staged “using Tony-awardwinning choreography,” announced Jerome Vivona. 

He and his wife graced Broadway stages themselves before bringing their experience to students of their American Theater Dance Company, which recently relocated to Mineola. 

He introduced a group of hip hop dancers. 

Belted athletes in all ages and sizes also leaped across that stage with discipline, pride, strength and super high kicks. They were followed by a series of jazzy, dramatic dance duets. 

Nearby, all ages enjoyed repeatedly dunking Mayor Scott Strauss, who was a good sport about it. 

“You can do better than that,” he egged on a child, who left with an ear-to-ear grin. 

Children down the block jammed on an additional stage, while younger tots enjoyed inflatable rides. 

An Irish-themed tent held an audience with witty speeches, toasts and tunes and on the  street savory smells enticed festival-goers from food trucks, vendors and restaurants. 

“I love the bagpipes,” Susan Gallagher said with a smile, watching the Irish American Bagpipers parade by from an outdoor seat in the shade at Las Vinas. Sipping a chicha on the hot sunny afternoon, she sighed in relief. 

“I love the healthy and ethnically diverse options in Mineola,” she said. 

“We need to shop local,” a chamber member reminded everyone via microphone. 

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