2011 Garden City Belmont Festival

Garden City will celebrate the final leg of the Triple Crown with the return of the Belmont Festival on June 10.

The village will hold its annual celebration honoring the Belmont Stakes on the eve of its 143rd running.

The Garden City Belmont Festival will take place on Seventh Street from 6-10 p.m. and will feature dance groups, live music, family-friendly activities and a “Wing Off” chicken wing competition.  NYRA television analyst and retired jockey Richard Migliore will emcee the festival.  Bands scheduled to perform include the Fivestone Rock Bank, Jerry & the Newcomers, New Vintage Swing Band, Speak Easy and the Village Music Makers.

The Wing Off will take place from 6:30-9 p.m. during which local restaurants will compete to be named Garden City’s chicken wing champion. Six restaurants are currently confirmed to take part in the competition: J.P. McGeevers, Murphy’s Bar and Grill, Rein at the Garden City Hotel, Walk Street, Lani’s Marketplace and Pop’s Wings & Grill of Lynbrook.  The winner will be announced at 9:30 p.m.

The general public will judge the contest as any passerby can get in on the action for a minimum donation of $5, which includes a plate of wings and a ballot. All proceeds benefit Operation Wounded Warrior, which provides needed items for injured United States military personnel. Local restaurants wishing to participate should contact Tim Peeples at             516-459-3740      .

Longtime public relations practitioner Ed Lewi, founder of the eponymous public relations firm, will also be honored with a proclamation from the village for years of service to the community, including his longtime dedication to spearheading the Garden City Belmont Festival.

For more information or to participate in the Garden City Belmont Festival contact Mary Dolan Grippo at             516-571-1936       or via e-mail at mgrippo@nassauida.org.

For more information about the Belmont Stakes and the Belmont spring meet, visit www.nyra.com.