A coalition of business and community groups will hold kickoff events in four Long Island downtowns Thursday to help promote their festivals and attractions ahead of the Fourth of July weekend.
Representatives from more than a dozen chambers of commerce, Vision Long Island, Long Island Main Street Alliance, small business owners and civic leaders will join a caravan that will stop in the downtowns of Baldwin, Farmingdale, Kings Park and Riverhead throughout the day.
The group will be urging people to participate in events that will be held throughout the summer and into the fall in more than 70 Long Island downtowns and communities. Those events include festivals, live music nights, outdoor arts exhibits, cultural attractions, and other family activities.
The aim of the effort is to remind Long Islanders that they don’t have to travel, and they can stay closer to home to support local businesses in their communities. The group will also be asking for funding from the state to promote Long Island downtowns, according to a written statement.
Frank Camarano, president of the Nassau Council of Chambers, said Long Island communities have so much to offer and the kick-off marks the beginning of chambers of commerce working together to bring event information to the people.
“Hyper-hyper-local sharing of events on our websites, social media and local publications, both in print and online, will evolve over time into something great,” Camarano said in the statement. “Let’s all support our communities, while having a lot of fun in the process. Shop and play local.”
Joseph Garcia, president of the Farmingdale Chamber of Commerce, said Long Island communities are made up of a network and connection of small business, attractions and events.
“Locally the offerings in our downtowns and communities rival those located a plane, train, and automobile away,” Garcia said in the statement. “By attending local events you support our small businesses and communities. We also call on the state to help in promoting local events and activities to keep the economic engine of Long Island cruising along.”
Connie Lassandro, president of the Riverhead Chamber of Commerce, said the past couple of years of the pandemic were some of the area’s darkest days, but now her downtown is coming alive again.
“Celebrate and have fun at any or all of our summer events including Alive on 25, The Cardboard Race, Reflextions, Paddle Battle, the 46th Annual Country Fair and Octoberfest,” Lassandro said in the statement. “Visit and stay at one of our many hotels and patronize our restaurants, breweries, Suffolk Theater, Long Island Aquarium or just enjoy the beautiful riverfront. Welcome to our downtown, come explore and have fun.”
The kick-off starts at 10 a.m. in the parking lot behind Kitty O’Hara’s at 845 Merrick Ave. in Baldwin. The caravan moves to Farmingdale’s Main Street Village Green at 11:30 a.m.; then stops at the clock tower on Main Street in Kings Park at 1 p.m.; winding up at Grangebel Park on Peconic Avenue in Riverhead at 2:30 p.m.
The coalition is also planning another round of multiple downtown visits next week.
