North Hempstead Town celebrates summer at annual BeachFeast

North Hempstead Town held a celebration of summer Saturday with food, music and fun at the beach, a tradition known as BeachFeast.

The fourth annual BeachFeast drew hundreds of people to the North Hempstead Beach Park in Port Washington from noon to 5 p.m. for the seasonal celebration.

“We have a great turnout here,” town clerk Wayne Wink said about 3:30 p.m. “This brings out the best of the town.”

Attendees danced to music from local bands including 45 RPM, Tiger Rose and Kamellot, and walked among vintage cars owned by local collectors.

Between sets, the crowds lounged on the beach or in the park’s shadier spots, sipping beer from Port Washington’s Craft Beer Cellar and wine from Mineola’s Murphy’s Bar and Grill.

“I’m from Long Beach and I wish we had something like this there,” said Katherine Mobilia, 22, as she prepared to dig into a funnel cake with her boyfriend, Justin Melhado.

Melhado, 30, of Bellmore, said he was enjoying the music and the beer, though he had yet to try the festival’s culinary offerings.

“We were looking for something to do outside,” he said. “We wanted something at the beach and this checked all the boxes.”

Mr. Smith’s Seafood and More II dished up fried shrimp and fish from their truck while others like Rosie’s Grilled Cheese churned out sandwiches and Crazy Cakes offered something sweeter — coffee and cupcakes.

Two ice cream trucks provided cooler refreshments. A town spokeswoman said organizers expected nearly 1,000 people to show up for the free event, though parking cost $10 cash or $7 if paid by credit or debit card.

Game stations provided entertainment for the kids, with giant Connect Four and chessboards set up on the pavement.

Jack Hong and his son Tristan, 9, engaged in a competitive game of cornhole, Tristan lobbing sand bags with one hand while holding a hot dog in the other.

“Today is a family day,” said Hong, 42, of Port Washington. “The weather is good and it’s a beautiful beach.”