Merrick Gathers at Kids Fest

The cloud-filled skies cleared just in time Sunday for the second day of Kids Fest at the Merrick Train Station.

Local business owners and residents joined the Merrick Chamber of Commerce for a day filled with games, rides, shopping and performances.

According to Ira Reiter, vice president of the Chamber of Commerce, the event has grown to be come a staple of the local community throughout the last 14 years.

"Everyone comes out and comes together," Reiter said. "The money we raise here we use for scholarships for graduating classes, or pay for the holiday lights that go around town at the end of the year."

More than 50 vendors were in attendance between Saturday and Sunday. Reiter said despite the decline in the economy, a bigger crowd of businesses and guests attend each year.

"We actually grow – a lot of people want to stay local and it's a reasonable event to come out and spend the day with the family," he explained.

Reiter, who owns Merrick Dodge Jeep Chrysler in Wantagh, has been a part of the chamber since 2004.

The Baranek and Horvath families attended the fair in a large group as they do every year, traditionally. The two families indulged in rides and games all day and took full advantage of the delicious food.

"It's good for the children, they can enjoy it cause it's not a lot of older kids," Baranek said. "The young ones can really have fun."

The Lagalia family of Bellmore and their two young boys attended the fair for the very first time on Sunday, and told Patch how much they loved the firetruck ride and seeing the real ambulance trucks and EMT workers.

Donna Scalice, a recent addition to the Merrick Chamber of Commerce, set up a vendor booth both Saturday and Sunday. Her and her daughter moved to Merrick about five years ago and wanted to share their knitting business, Knit From the Heart, with the community. "We have done very well today, it's a great response," she said.

Scalice and her daughter also spoke of what they love about living in Merrick since moving from their hometown of Elmont. 

"It's nice, friendly people here, we have wonderful neighbors. There's also a lot of shopping right here in the middle of everything," she said.

Natanyah Menna, owner of Merrick's European Wax Center, didn't have a vendor booth, but attended the fest all weekend. She passed out promotional cards for the center offering complimentary wax services. Menna explained to Patch how in just 18 weeks, her center has excelled in the Merrick community, surpassing others in larger cities around Los Angeles and Las Vegas.

The Chamber of Commerce will host their next annual festival in the fall through the streets of Merrick.