Farmingdale Updates: Halloween Parade, Veterans Day Service, More

FARMINGDALE, NY — There are plenty of upcoming seasonal events in Farmingdale Village, Mayor Ralph Ekstrand announced in a news release.

The Farmingdale Halloween Parade has been rescheduled for 2 p.m. Sunday because of rain. Marchers are set to head from Northside Elementary School to the Village Green. The family-friendly event will feature costume contests, a petting zoo, pony rides, and candy. The event was originally slated for Saturday.

The community is invited to salute veterans at the annual Farmingdale Veterans Day Service on the Village Green at 11 a.m. Nov. 11.

The Long Island Gingerbread House Contest is set for Dec. 11 at The Chocolate Duck, at 310 Main St. Prizes will be awarded as people get to vote on their favorite gingerbread houses. The 2021 contest theme is Gingerbread Houses honoring Essential Workers, such as firehouses, police stations, hospitals, medical facilities, pharmacies, gas stations, grocery stores, eateries, government buildings, etc. For more info, you can contact Christina: cakegirl70@aol.com, or call 516-249-0887. The event was planned with the Farmingdale Village Cultural Arts Committee.

The Farmers Market, hosted by Schneider's Farm on the Village Green, is set to continue to be held on Sundays through Nov. 21. Each market runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. weather permitting.

Ekstrand also touched on recent events held in Farmingdale.

"Shakespeare on the Green" was held in October with performances of "Romeo and Juliet" by Eastline Theatre. The performances were free, and more are set for 2022.

The Farmingdale Fire Department organized the Columbus Weekend Carnival, Fair and Parade held in early October.

"Congratulations to all at the Farmingdale Fire Department for their tremendous efforts," Ekstrand said.

The Farmingdale Breakfast Rotary Club also held a Doggie Parade and Fair on the Village Green during the Columbus weekend.

Carol Silva, a 40-year veteran news anchor from News 12 who is a cancer survivor, came to Farmingdale for a TEDxFarmingdale "Origins & Evolution" event at Charlotte's Speakeasy on Oct. 9. The event was sold out, according to Ekstrand.

"Carol serves as a stellar example of the impact of positivity, and the audience was elated with the event - they couldn't say enough good things about the impact of the event," Ekstrand said. "Additional notable speakers at the event included: Lisa Mateo, an anchor for Bloomberg Radio, Father and son Mark X. Cronin and John Cronin of John's Crazy Socks, among others."

The event, organized by executive producer George Andriopoulos, can be viewed here in playlist form:

"Bringing the TEDx platform for the last three years to the place I call home has been an incredibly fulfilling experience," Andriopoulos said via news release. "I believe in Farmingdale, and I think it is the epicenter of culture, commerce and creativity here on Long Island. Bringing these brilliant and innovative speakers to the TEDxFarmingdale stage further solidifies what we're about as a community. This event continuously educates and inspires me, and I hope it continues to be an inspiration to others as well."

Ekstrand congratulated Nick and John DeVito, the brothers who own Charlotte's Speakeasy, as well as all of the speakers, Andriopoulos, and the curation team.

Residents were urged to vote in the Farmingdale Halloween House Decorating Contest. To vote, email the home's address to Priestley at wpriestley@farmingdalevillage.com. Each person can cast one vote. Voting opened on Tuesday and will last until Halloween.