Vendors and patrons keep on coming back for the Williston Day Street Fair

Jessica Parks
The 40th annual Williston Day Street Fair saw thousands of attendees. The fair is one of the chamber's biggest events of the year. (Photo from the Williston Chamber of Commerce)

As is tradition, the weather was beautiful for the 40th annual Williston Day Street Fair.

Thousands of people spanned Hillside Avenue between Willis Avenue and the East Williston train tracks on Sunday, visiting over 200 vendors.

The Williston Area Chamber of Commerce, which sponsors the event, brought 5,000 tote bags to hand out at the fair and “didn’t have one left over,” said Lucille Walters, chamber executive director.

“It was the first weekend it’s been nice out and I think people were dying to get outside,” she said.

Restaurants on Hillside Avenue set up tables outside for attendees to eat and drink.

Patrons eating and drinking at the tables set up outside of Margarita’s Cafe. (Photo by the Williston Chamber of Commerce)

Margarita’s Cafe, a Mexican restaurant celebrating its second year in Williston Park, served “margaritas to go” among other drink specials.  

Ivan Garduno, the general manager, spoke of the high anticipation for the event. “Guests have been asking about our specials for the street fair since last week,” he said.  

Rialto, an Italian restaurant in Carle Place, set up shop at the street fair for the second year in a row. Tara Fuentes and her husband, chef Mario Fuentes, sold their homemade “Marionara” sauce and served zucchini meatballs.

Chef Mario Fuentes and wife, Tara Fuentes, co-owners of Rialto from Carle Place, served zucchini meatballs and their homemade sauce. (Photo by Jessica Parks)

Fuentes said they came back this year because of a positive experience last year that helped give them exposure in the area.

Basil and Prime, a gourmet food market in Albertson and first-time vendor at this year’s fair, is expected back next year. 

“It was a great turnout and people loved everything we had,” said Susan D’Ambrosio. “We are planning on going bigger for next year.”

Walters said that “once vendors come to the fair, they usually keep on coming back.” She has been working with the Chamber of Commerce for 15 years and says she has a list of vendors that have been returning to the fair since she started.

“It’s good for local businesses because people who come to the fair walk around and buy and try new stuff,” said Walters.

GoatUSA, a clothing brand partly founded by an East Williston native, set up a stand for the third year in a row. “This is the only street fair of this type that we do,” said co-founder Richard Alfaro of Westbury.

Robert, Karen, and Riley Cunningham are returning patrons of the Williston Day Street Fair. (Photo by Jessica Parks)

“It’s great for the brand because we are all from here,” he said. “It is nice to see people we know.”

Karen Cunningham, a former resident of Williston Park, said she has been coming to the fair since she was a little girl. “I used to come here every year with my mom,” she said.  

She keeps returning because it’s “like a local reunion” for her. She says she sees friends at the fair that she has not seen in years.

Cunningham said her husband, Robert, has been performing at the fair for 15 years.

This year he performed with FiveStone as lead guitarist and vocalist, but he has performed musically at the fair in various capacities over the years.

Their daughter, Riley, has been coming to the fair since before she can even remember. “I love to come to the fair and walk around,” she said.

“Well, she really likes buying things,” her mom added with a smirk.

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