Belmont Festival A Success
Photos by John Ellis Kordes

Judging the hat contest before the festival at the gazebo were Stephanie Cullum of Coach Realty with little Harry, Joanne Adams of NYRA, Carol Mangels from the Island and Denise Weils of Coach Realty. Coach Realty and the Island sponsored the contest.

The ninth annual Belmont Festival was held on Seventh Street on the evening of Friday, June 8.

Once again this year the New York Racing Association (NYRA), the Village of Garden City, the Garden City Hotel and Keyspan all came together to put on this massive event. Five live bands performed all evening as thousands enjoyed the pleasant weather and strolled along Seventh Street.

A highlight of the Festival was a fun parade featuring Grand Marshal Susan Lucci, along with marching hands, antique cars, Village officials, horses and even a "few" fire engines. A splended time was had by all.

Jeanette and Karl Riesterer had a great time. Riesterer's Bakery and card store have been a landmark on Seventh Street for decades. There were clowns, jugglers and face and arm painting for the youngsters. The winning hats are proudly displayed by their creators. These little ones later appeared in the parade. Lifelong resident and soap opera star, Susan Lucci waves to the crowds from the rumble seat of an antique car. Susan as the grand marshal of the parade. Garden City's police chief Ernest Cipullo and Inspector Jackson posed with Garden City resident Mary Grippo from NYRA, who was the Belmont Festival Chairperson. The Garden City High School marching band looked sharp and sounded great as they marched. The Belmont poster contest winners got to march in the parade. The contest was sponsored by Sunflower Gallery. The Garden City Hotel was a sponsor of the event and their employees marched in the parade. Pictured here is the hotel's general manager and Garden City resident Nasser Samman with his family. Sammy the bugler announced the beginning of the parade in style. Representing festival sponsor KeySpan were GEO Roger Catell's daughters and wife with several grandchildren. Mary Grippo, left, with Ed and Maureen Lewi of NYRA, who were down from Saratoga for the event. The Grippo and Murray families were all smiles as they enjoyed the festival. Famous horse trainer and Garden City resident Kiaran McLauglin was in the parade with his family. What has become an annual feature of the festival is Alex's lemonade stand, which raises money for childhood cancer nationwide. Its presence here was highly due to village clerk and Garden City resident Brian Ridgway. Crowds packed the sidewalk to see the parade. Even the N.Y. Islander's dragon mascot was on hand to mingle with the crowds. What would a Belmont Parade be without horses? Here we have the Islip Drill team. One of the fine antique fire engines in the parade. There was also a few modern fire engines, too! The Southern Rock Band 'Six Guns{ were one of five live bands entertaining the crowds. Fran Nelson, far left, and her staff were busy serving up their delicious Italian food from the Seventh Street café. The café also featured a beautiful ice sculpture of a race horse for the festival.