Teamwork — the foundation of SpringFest’s great success. After eight months of meticulous planning, visitors streamed onto the grounds of the Mid-Island Y JCC on Sunday morning, May 22nd to a well-organized fun-for-all ages event. No easy task at a new location (formerly at the POB Library) and executed for the first time since 2019 with a new promoter. Kudos to SpringFest chair, Elan Wurtzel for his tireless efforts, along with his dedicated festival committee, and Rick Lewis and his supportive staff at the JCC.
“It was great to see so many people in our parking lot enjoying shopping, entertainment from our local performers, eating, playing pickleball and learning about everything the Mid-Island YJCC has to offer,” said Lewis. “It was our pleasure to host and we are looking forward to next year. Congratulations to the winners of the first pickleball tournament on our brand new outdoor pickleball courts.”
SpringFest 2022 offered something for everyone: An enticing array of vendors, many of whom generously sponsored the event (complete list below) with clothing, jewelry, toys and other offerings; children’s activities including face painting, pony rides and a petting zoo, all free thanks to several sponsors; student and area dance, music and martial arts performers, a pickleball tournament and an assortment of food.and drink choices. The Mr. Softee Tuck and lemonade stand quenched the thirst of many on the unseasonably hot sunny day.
The chamber received positive feedback from sponsors throughout the day and after the event. Joe Toscano of Douglas Elliman commented, “It was an amazing event and really brought value to, and visibility for, my office and agents. KJOY was advertising it all day and the foot traffic was incredible. Thank you to everyone who made it possible. It was organized and efficient, much appreciated!”
Over at the chamber booth it was fundraising central for its current charity partner: Rebecca Koltun, Help Hope Live. Beautiful baskets were lined up and hundreds of little blue raffle tickets filled the containers for chances to win great prizes — all donated by members, residents or local business owners. There was also a prize wheel that attracted young and old alike to take a chance for a $1 spin. (Each year St. Pius Church happily loans the wheel to the chamber.) Together, these two activities raised over $1,600 on Sunday for the Koltun family. The chamber is grateful for the community’s outpouring of support for this local family adjusting to new challenges after their daughter’s life altering ski accident in March 2021.
As the festival wound down around 4:00pm, event chair Elan Wurtzel shared his thoughts on the day. “Even though it was a scorcher of a day, the intensity of the heat was matched by the enthusiasm of our sponsors, members, performers, volunteers and all the visitors who came to SpringFest. It may have been hot, but it was cool to participate and we’re looking forward to many more (hopefully cooler!) SpringFests in the future.”
SpringFest 2022 Sponsors