Nyack Spring Street Fair Draws Well; Another One on the Way

BY CAROL MCILMURRAY

NYACK- Nyack’s historic downtown streets were once again transformed to a present day bazaar with 355 vendors converging on the main t-zone of town on Sunday, April 12.  Nyack has hosted hundreds of street fairs since the 1940s.

Many thousands of visitors strolled the sunny streets, which were closed to car traffic for the event, to look at and buy handcrafted goods, clothes, and jewelry, as well as, to eat street vendor food and drink at local bar set ups.

The outer banks of the habitually sleepy village were lined with parked cars visiting from all corners the tri-state area. Business solicitors conducted giveaways and raffles to capture residents’ information as onlookers strolled about the maze of sellers.

Joining the sellers were altruistic groups such as Soup Angels, Youth for Hospice, livelongny.org and Cause Kidz. Youth for Hospice- Nyack Chapter, represented by Nyack High School Junior Carly Cummings, president of the group and her mother Wendy, parental oversight of outreach campaign recounted to the Rockland County Times how “honored to inherit the stewardship of Youth for Hospice from Ashley Marinell, a graduated classmate and founder of the local chapter in honor her swim coach Keith Furey.”

Furey, 48, owner of K. W. Furey, a freelance engineer company passed away in 2011 after a sudden bout with cancer. In his final days he received care from the a local hospice and his student Ashley Marinell championed funding and starting local chapter in his honor.

Longliveny.org, a state funded campaign to raise awareness of current organ transplanting systems and funding was represented by Roxanne Watson, local organ recipient and national media sweetheart on the issue. Watson has been to Albany a number of times with Junior Senator David Carlucci-D to speak on behalf of new legislation and funding to promote organ donation.

Soup Angels held a money drive right outside the church where they serve meals to the homeless community on a bi-weekly basis.

Cause Kidz held a demonstration of children aged 7-10 dancing together to raise awareness and funds for GEMS: Girls Educational & Mentoring Services. The group was created by 10-year-old, Sadie Kopacz, and her small friends to help raise money for groups in need.

Vendors travelled from far and near to shop their wares at the infamous Nyack Street Fair. Hatseller Rita Mancino, Toms River, NJ, said, “We travelled far, but Nyack is a friendly and unique town.”

Local business woman Mary-Ann Olive, Olive’s and Sauerkraut Restaurant owner told the Rockland County Times, “It’s a great way to start season, it gives local small business a nice boost, and it couldn’t be a nicer day.”

The first fair of the season was run by Nyack Chamber of Commerce and next fair is being conducted by ACADA, the Art, Craft & Antiques Dealers Association of Nyack on May 17.

The town requests that you do not bring your dog since they are not permitted at the event.