Thanks For Column

To the Editor:

My husband Phil and I moved from Garden City to our continuing care retirement community in Pennsylvania seven years ago. We have subscribed to the Garden City News since we moved and always read [John Ellis Kordes’ “Tell Me Why...”] column. I want to thank him for his informative report about Easter.

Alice Gilbert

Be Responsible

To the Editor,

Poop is not pretty. That is why responsible dog owners in my neighborhood (including myself) clean up after their dogs. Until recently ours was a reasonably clean neighborhood. This letter is to the irresponsible dog owners residing near Hemlock School: No one wants to know that your dog's been visiting. Please clean up . The shoe you save maybe your own.

Thank you very much.

Suzanne and

Bill Cleary & Eddie

PS Letting your dog walk himself is another bothersome issue which I will address in my next letter.

Ninth Annual Belmont Festival, Street Fair

As the sports world gears up for another action packed Belmont Stakes, fans will gather on the eve of the race for the Ninth Annual Belmont Festival featuring celebrations in both Floral Park and Garden City. The Belmont Festival will serve as the opening act to a fun-filled weekend with activities including a luncheon, parade, street festivals and hat contest.

In addition to festivities traditionally held in Garden City, this year Floral Park is hosting the Floral Park Street Festival on Friday, June 10, from 5 - 10 p.m. The festival - on Tulip Avenue between Plainfield and Verbena Avenues - will feature live music, raffles, prizes and food and beverages from local restaurants.

The ever eclectic and electric Garden City Street Festival will be held on Friday, June 10, from 6 - 10 p.m. The activities in Garden City will take place on 7th Street between Franklin and Hilton, where a half dozen local bands will fill the streets.

Live musical acts will include the Nassau County Police Pipe Band; New Vintage, a 12-piece swing band; the Paddy Noonan Band featuring Irish music and dancers; Six Gun, performers of country music; The Exceptions; and Tom Wagner's Village Music Makers, featuring Big Band music of the 1940's, 50's and 60's.

Following the success of last year's competition, the exciting Belmont Festival at Garden City Hat Contest returns for its third consecutive year. Sponsored by The Island, a premiere Lilly Pulitzer Signature Store, and modeled after the traditions made famous at the Kentucky Derby and Saratoga Race Course, the contest will handout titles in three categories: Whimsically Belmont (most unusual hat), Stylishly Garden City (most fashionable hat), and Triple Crown Creative Kids (for children aged 12 and under).

Due to the expected high volume, contestants are encouraged to register early for the contest. Pre-registration forms are available at The Island and at the Garden City Chamber of Commerce. All registration the day of the contest will take place beginning at 5 p.m. at the Village Green Gazebo. Contestants will display their fashions for the judges at the Village Green Gazebo at 6 p.m., where prizes will be awarded.

At 7 p.m., the focus will shift to the annual Garden City Belmont Festival parade, where Garden City Hat Contest winners may need to hold onto their hats as they ride in the annual parade in a vehicle generously donated by Garden City Saab. Beginning at 9th and Franklin Streets, the parade will run south toward 7th Street before winding its way onto Hilton Street and concluding at the Village Gazebo.

The New York Lottery will add fun to the pre-race festivities by offering fans a chance to win with drawings and giveaways, under a 10 x 10 tent. Coca-Cola will be on site with giveaways and inflatables.

The Belmont Festival at Garden City takes place on the eve of the 137th running of the Belmont Stakes on Saturday, June 11 at Belmont Park in nearby Elmont, New York. Gates at Belmont Park open at 8:30 a.m. Post-time for the running of the Belmont is 6:38 p.m.

For further information regarding the Belmont Festival at Garden City and the "Hats Off to Garden City" hat contest, contact Joanne K. Adams at (516) 248-7132. For more information about the ninth annual Belmont Festival and 137th running of the Belmont Stakes visit www.nyra.com.