Fall festivals to look forward to in Merrick, Bellmore

Fair season is just around the corner for Bellmore-Merrick.

In Merrick at the end of October, the Merrick Chamber of Commerce’s Fall Festival will take place from Oct. 20 through the 22.

Opening on Friday, Oct 20 at 6 p.m., those planning to attend can expect carnival rides and games through 10 p.m. The carnival portion of the fair will also be open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday.

Vendors, which will line a large portion of Merrick Avenue, starting from the Merrick Long Island Rail Road station, near the intersection of Broadcast Plaza, will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

Aside from the carnival and vendors, there will be music and various forms of entertainment throughout the duration of the festival as well.

Residents who live off of Bedford Avenue in Bellmore and Merrick Avenue in Merrick, can expect road closures and increased traffic during the duration of the festivals.

Similar to Bellmore, Merrick’s fall festival is a major fundraiser for the Chamber. It helps them host later events during the year, including a visit and photo opportunity with Santa Claus, as well as a Christmas Tree and Menorah lighting in December.

For more on Merrick’s festival, visit MerrickChamber.org.

Over in Bellmore, the 36th annual Bellmore Family Street Festival returns to the intersection at Bedford Avenue, for four days of fun, beginning on Oct. 26.

There’s something for everyone at Bellmore’s fair, which is hosted by the Chamber of Commerce of the Bellmores. It includes hundreds of vendors, live music, food and entertainment, as well as carnival rides in the parking lots of the Long Island Rail Road parking lot.

The fair opens on Thursday, Sept. Oct. 26, and only the carnival rides will be open. The same goes for Friday, Oct. 27. Vendors along Bedford Avenue, Petitt Avenue, and additional lots of the rail road station will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday.

Bellmore’s festival is one of the largest in the area, and a beloved community event for the Chamber, residents and businesses in the Bellmore village — the hamlet’s main shopping district. It was originally slated for September, and postponed due to an inclement weather forecast.

“It’s always a regular thing to look forward to,” Samantha Devine, Crunch Fitness’ general manager, previously told the Herald.

The event raises money for the Chamber, and allows them to host their other, annual festivities that the community looks forward to — including its Holiday Extravaganza, which usually takes place during early December.

“It’s out major fundraiser for the year — it’s how we do what we do,” Debby Izzo, the festival’s organizer, previously said.

For more on Bellmore’s fair, visit BellmoreChamber.com.