Summer street fairs in Farmingdale, Patchogue and Wantagh revitalizing local downtowns

A live band plays a cover of the Killers’ hit "Mr. Brightside" as children get their faces painted in a tent only a few feet away from a wood-fired oven where individual pizzas are being made. A life-size boat operates nearby as a bar serving Blue Point beer on tap with a bartender dressed in a captain’s outfit.

This is the scene on Main Street in Farmingdale every other Thursday  during Music on Main, an event that "brings everyone together" during the summer, says attendee Steve Frankle, 48.

"This is one of the better events on Long Island," says Frankle, of Farmingdale, who meets friends after work.

Thursdays have become the hot night out as local villages and hamlets are hosting a series of after-work street fairs drawing everyone from those in strollers to seniors.

PATCHOGUE ORIGIN

The original outdoor summer evening gathering starts with Alive After Five in Patchogue, which dates back to 2001.

"Initially, our former chamber of commerce president Vincent Grucci wanted to create some nightlife in Patchogue," says David Kennedy, executive director of the Patchogue Chamber. "The BrickHouse Brewery had just opened up and we wanted to build on that."

Twenty three years later, Patchogue’s downtown is booming, with more than 40 restaurants, numerous shops and a revived performing arts center. These days, each Alive After Five draws up to 20,000 people.

"You can’t deny that Alive After Five had a lot to do with the development of the town," says Kennedy.

During the event, which occurs four Thursdays in the summer, Main Street closes from the Patchogue Post Office on the east end to Blue Point Brewery on the west end.  Restaurants offer outdoor dining while more than 120 food trucks and craft vendors line the streets. Local bars like The Tap Room, Bobbique and Del Fuego collaborate at the end caps of the perimeter, sharing resources to serve beer and wine. Live music occurs at various locations while the Patchogue-Medford Library provides a family section with magicians, stilt walkers, jugglers and face painting for the younger set. Railroad Avenue is considered the midway, where carnival sideshow performers such as sword swallowers and aerialists entertain the crowd.

"No one could’ve predicted what Alive After Five became," says Kennedy. "It’s gone well beyond the expectations that we had for it."

FOLLOWING IN FARMINGDALE 

Back in 2016, Joe Fortuna, co-owner of the Nutty Irishman, brought the idea of putting live music out on Main Street to the incorporated village of Farmingdale every other Thursday evening during the summer. Once approved, neighboring businesses jumped on board and Music on Main was born.

"Every year, it gets bigger," says Fortuna. "It’s nice to get everybody together during the week in the summer because on the weekends people go away."

Katie Ketterer, 32, of Bethpage, pushes a stroller with her 2-year-old niece while meeting her friend Elena Licandro, 30, of Lindenhurst, and her 6-month-old nephew. They socialize over pouches of sangria from Burgerology.

"I love being in a place that’s open where you can just relax and hear the bands," says Ketterer.

Bella Lardaro, 25, of St. James, bops around to the sounds of Taylor Swift’s "Love Story" while enjoying chicken wings, mozzarella sticks and French fries with her friend Erin Reahl, 25, of Babylon, at a picnic table by the band.

"I don’t need to see Taylor Swift in concert. You get the same experience here on Main Street," says Lardaro.

Local vendor Tyler Walsh, 29, of Farmingdale, selling his "Lawnguyland" T-shirts and hats at a booth, is pleasantly surprised by the growth of Farmingdale’s downtown.

"This is night and day compared to when I was growing up," he says. "The storefronts are filled and people are coming from all over the Island."

NEWCOMER JOINS THE SCENE

A new tradition kicks off this summer in Wantagh as Mulcahy’s Pub & Concert Hall led the way to put together a seasonal celebration in the street, Thursday Night Live.

"This came about because Wantagh is kind of slow in the summer," says Tim Murray, Mulcahy’s director of operations. "I was jealous as all these other towns were doing this concept with great success. I knew there was potential for this here."

Railroad Avenue closes down as the area fills up with food trucks like Pies on Wheels, Simply Greekalicious and The French Workshop Artisan Bakery. Street vendors sell everything from palm trees to cigars to hot sauce while live groups such as The Good Life Band, Jahstix & the Rising Sons and Plunged perform.

Ashley DiPalma, 33, of Wantagh, brings her triplets, who gravitate toward the inflatable obstacle course. "It keeps them busy the whole time we are here," says DiPalma. "I hope it comes back next summer."

Johan Mejia, who recently moved to Levittown with his wife, Rosa, and their two children, decide to splurge a bit. "We had dessert before dinner," admits Mejia, 35. "My wife loves Nutella crepes and I’m more of a banana guy."

By David J. Criblez

david.criblez@newsday.comDavidJCriblez

David J. Criblez is a reporter for Newsday's exploreLI, covering entertainment-related events from local music to stand-up comedy to festivals.