Linda King admires floral arrangements.

Kathleen Bonfield and Janice McQuade go to the Massapequa Park Merchants fair every year. Friends and neighbors, they attended again this year and sat at one of the picnic tables enjoying what the food vendors had to offer up, and the festive atmosphere of the annual event.

"Though we both go every year, this is the first time we’ve come to the fair together," said Bonfield. "It’s a wonderful place to meet neighbors and spend an afternoon in the middle of the summer."

Hundreds of others meandered in and out of the festival, buying paintings, jewelry, wood carvings, hot dogs, cotton candy or just sitting and enjoying the music and entertainment.

Susan and John Pereira of Masssapequa Park stood on line with their children, Rachel and Janina to buy pickles from The Pickle People, one of the very popular vendors. Why the tremendous interest in pickles: "They are good and they have a lot of varieties they don’t have in the stores said Susan.

Above: Kellie Vehlies, 12 of Massapequa.

One vendor said that she has been at the fair for five years and that she sees repeat customers every time.

"We have a big following in the area," said Barbara Weinreb who was selling her own designed and manufactured jewelry.

"It’s elegent, unique and romantic," said Joan DiGeron, one of her regular customers. "And it’s not trendy."

Weinreb began making jewelry as a hobby about ten years ago and captured such a following that she began doing it full time. Today, she sells her designs in 80 stores nationwide, and her husband, an attorney for 23 years, has sold his law practice to work full time with her.

Joe Farriella looks over table at fair.

"The entire event was just wonderful," said Carol Leff, president of the Merchants Association. "We had a bigger crowd than last year and the merchants did very well."

Leff said that one of the most "profitable" parts of the festival is the homeotwn spirit it helps to generate. "Our aim is to encourage people to come to Massapequa park to shop and to put our Village on the map," she said. "Its a beautiful community and we want everyone to know it."

The association is planning even more for next year, said Leff. The group is hoping to sponsor a carriage parade and contest, which had been a tradition in Massapequa Park in year’s past. They also want to sponsor a pet parade and contests for children, including, hopefully, said Leff, selecting a Miss and Mister Massapequa Park Toddler and Teen.

For more information on the Merchants Association, call Leff at her office, 798-0900.

Danielle August of Massapequa and Paul Archipolo of Massapequa Park

Aidan Cooney of Massapequa shows his dad what catches his eye. Photos by Cliff DeBear