18th Annual Belmont Festival June 5

The annual Belmont Festival returns to Garden City on Friday evening, June 5, from 6-10 p.m.

The event, now in its 18th year, draws thousands to Seventh Street on the eve of the running of the Belmont Stakes, which marks the third and final leg of the Triple Crown.

Celebrate Garden City style with featured entertainment, live music and plenty of activities for the kids, including free pony rides and face painting. Also returning this year is the popular children’s poster contest as well as the Wing Off competition with local restaurants competing for the “best cooked wings” in the area.

The Wing Off competition will benefit the Ace in the Hole Foundation, created in honor 1st Lt. Michael LiCalzi, a Garden City resident who lost his life while serving his country during Operation Iraqi Freedom, and the Garden City Chamber of Commerce Foundation, Inc., which provides scholarships to deserving Garden City High School seniors as well as assistance to community members in need. Visit www.aceintheholefoundation.org or call the Garden City Chamber of Commerce at 746-7724 for additional information.

The Belmont Festival would not be possible without the support of this year’s major sponsor, Stifel Investment Services, the New York Racing Association and all the participating merchants on Seventh Street.