Has Homecoming Lost Its Luster?

In order to bring more "pop snap electricity" to the 33rd annual Homecoming parade and fall festival street fair Oct. 20, Nassau County craft and gift vendors are permitted to set up displays along the northern side of Seventh Street, from Key Food to Hilton Hall.

John Wilton, chairman of the Merchants, Professionals and Retailers Group, teamed up with Alan Finchley of Nassau County Craft Shows to bring in the vendors.

"A vast majority of the merchants have been spoken to and we afforded them the opportunity to put something in front of their store," Wilton said. He suspects most will "probably participate."

"We'll make certain none of the businesses are interfered with," Wilton added.

All vendors can begin setting up at 7 a.m. The fair runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The parade kicks off on Seventh Street at noon and ends at Garden City High School, where the Trojans will take on the Wantagh Warriors at 2 p.m.

Finchley believes Seventh Street is an "absolute home run" for this type of activity.

"We genuinely feel that by adding our vendors the Street Fair now has a very real chance of being one of the great Long Island events," he wrote on his website.

Wilton added, "The concept is not only to bring revenue to the chamber but to make the event a more desirous event to attend. As we know, what happens is the people who attend - the aunts, the uncles, grandparents, nieces, nephews - they all go over to the football game at one o'clock, which is the largest attended football game of the season. This perhaps will have an ability to make certain the downtown thrives a little big longer."

Vendors will be selling their wares until 3 p.m.

In addition to the many businesses exhibiting, Garden City community organizations interested in promoting their missions and fundraisers are also welcome to participate. All chamber members who are not located on Seventh Street may also have exhibit space. All groups must first call Liz at the chamber (746-7724, ext. 101) to secure space, which must be assigned in advance.