From the North Shore to the South Shore, and the Queens border to Orient Point, Long Island is full of bustling communities, each with their own unique qualities and characteristics. Many of our towns have Main Street areas, where neighbors often bump into each other while going out to dinner, picking up groceries, or grabbing a treat at Carvel or Ralph’s. Summertime brings out all the colors of our communities, letting Long Island’s culture and diversity shine through the weekend days and nights. Local artists come out to show off and sell their crafts and artisanal goods, food vendors of all kinds provide crazy assortments of delicious things to eat from all over the world. Some street fairs have rides, games, cotton candy, funnel cake (obviously the best fairs have funnel cake, just saying). But no matter what’s at the street fair, you’re always guaranteed to have a great time when you go to one, because you’re surrounded by the people who make your community what it is. Summer festivals are the perfect opportunity for Long Islanders to reacquaint themselves with their neighbors, and celebrate the communities that we’ve worked hard to build—where we take pride in raising our families and watching our children grow up. If you’re looking...
Learn MoreThere are so many fantastic, free concerts going on around Long Island this summer, but isn’t it a pain to try to find information on them? It feels like every site has bits and pieces of information, but there’s no exhaustive list to be found. While we may have missed a concert here or there, we’ve compiled the closest thing you’ll find to a list of all free outdoor concerts in Nassau County parks and beaches through the end of July! If we missed any concerts, be sure to let us know on our Facebook page! Jones Beach Red Mango Boardwalk Band Shell All shows begin at 7:30pm. Parking at Field 4 after 6pm. Sundays – Latin Music and Dance Tuesdays – Kids Night 7/1 – Z Brothers 7/8 – Darlene Graham 7/15 – Darlene Graham 7/22 – Youth Be Told 7/29 – Darlene Graham Wednesdays – All That Dance with Marianne Taylor Thursdays – The Great American Showcase Fridays – Tributes 7/11 – 2112 (Rush Tribute) 7/18 – Hindenberg (Led Zepplin Tribute) 7/25 – Desert Highway (Eagles Tribute) Saturdays – Greatest Hits 6/28 – Liverpool Shuffle (Beatles Tribute) 7/5 – Blue Tormaline 7/12 – Joe Rock and the All Stars 7/19 – Just Sixties 7/26...
Learn MoreNow that school is nearly over, the kids are beyond ready to get out on the weekends and enjoy the fresh air and feel the sand between their toes. But spending the day outside doesn’t have to only be fun for the kids—Long Islanders big and small can all find a way to have a good time while they soak up the sun on the Nassau County beach of their choice! Check out these great local events in the Long Beach/Jones Beach area for fun ways to spend your weekends! Farmers’ Market at Kennedy Plaza On Saturdays from 9a-2p, head on down to Kennedy Plaza in Long Beach for a wonderful Farmers’ Market! We all know that Long Island produces an overwhelming abundance of a variety of foods, but most of that happens out East. Do you really want to trek all the way out to the East End to get the best fruit, seafood, and artisanal goods that our area has to offer? Now you don’t have to—just go to Long Beach! Farmers from all over the island meet up there every Saturday and Wednesday (10a-4p) to set up shop. Arts in the Plaza The Farmers’ Market isn’t the only thing that’s livening up Kennedy Plaza on the...
Learn MoreFather’s Day is the perfect time to remind your dad how special he is, and thank him for all that he’s done for you over the years. Now that you’re sitting down to plan a day in his honor…what exactly are you going to do?! With so much to do, so many places to go, and so much delicious food to eat on Long Island, sometimes all our options can become a bit overwhelming. That’s why we’ve put together a carefully curated list of great ways to spend this weekend with your dad! Father’s Day Car Show/Swap/Meet and Motorcycle Ride It feels like any weekend that you drive down Sunrise Highway, you’re bound to see something going on in the parking lot of various LIRR stations. This Sunday is no exception! In the Merrick LIRR Station lot between Hewlett and Merrick Avenues, you’ll find plenty of cars, foods, rides, and vendors to see, eat, and enjoy from 9a-4p! If your dad has a vehicle that’s near and dear to his heart (second to you, of course!), now’s his time to shine and show off his toy! And if he just loves cars and bikes, it’s a great opportunity to check out some sweet ones. Father’s Day Rocket Building Do...
Learn MoreThe Belmont Stakes is a favorite Long Island pastime for many of us. It’s the third (and last) leg of the US Triple Crown, following the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes. The race’s return to Long Island each June is a time for celebration, and an opportunity to enjoy the beginning of summer. To take advantage of the occasion, many local establishments are running specials to encourage patrons to come out for the big day. One of the most popular local events is the Garden City Belmont Festival. All of 7th Street in Garden City is shut down for the day, and actual start gates are brought in from the Belmont tracks for kids run through as they pretend to be racehorses. There’s something fun for everyone at the Garden City Belmont Festival; drink specials at the various local bars, fabulous food from an array of vendors, face painters, clowns, and pony rides for the kids, live music, and the wildly popular Annual Wing-Off. This year, the wing contest will benefit the Ace in the Hole Foundation, a not-for-profit organization that was founded in memory of 1st LT Michael LiCalzi USMC. The fallen hero lost his life while serving in our troops during Operation Iraqi Freedom in May...
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