John Wilton: Friday Night Promenade Gaining Momentum

Friday night promenades in Garden City may finally be catching on as the initiative - intended to help local merchants during the sluggish summer months - approaches its sixth week.

Last Friday's event drew a decent crowd, many of which dined al fresco style at village favorites like Walk Street and Leo's. Most of the action was on the eastern end of Seventh, near Franklin Avenue, where Gina Baez performed with her dog, Tinkerbelle, before a crowd of children who jumped at the chance to meet her after her performance.

The band FiveStone, a regular at Garden City's Belmont Festivals, returned for another week, singing crowd favorites like Billy Joel's "Scenes From An Italian Restaurant (The Ballad of Brenda & Eddie)."

Hurricane Grill and Wings, which recently opened on Stewart Avenue in E. Garden City, offered menu samplings while Garden City Pizza had Italian ices at the ready.

John Wilton, one of the organizers of the weekly event, said Friday nights are picking up momentum. "Our merchants and restaurants who participated were packed, weather was perfect," he said. "This is becoming a tremendous family-orientated event."

Wilton said the idea is meant to promote business, bring in new business from surrounding communities and "pay it forward" to Garden City's downtown business community.

"The mantra is 'Hospitality Garden City Style,'" he said. "We, the organizers, will try and offer more fun things for all age groups."

On tap for this Friday night is music by Plastic Soul, Gina Baez, who returns for a second week, and new music soloist Madeline Luongo.

Seventh Street will be closed to all vehicular traffic beginning at 5:45 p.m. The promenade is held between 6-10 p.m.