By Connor Adams Sheets
Douglaston’s arts community was on full display Sunday afternoon as artisans and musicians took to the streets to show off their talents.
Spread across the length of downtown Douglaston, the occasion was the third-annual Douglaston Village Arts Festival, a fete for the thriving arts movement in the neighborhood.
Craftsmen, painters and jewelers displayed a wide range of wares, while local bands played reggae, rock, jazz and more on two stages during the day-long event, which benefited the Douglaston Village Chamber of Commerce.
“It’s for the community to come out and enjoy vendors with handmade arts and crafts and local restaurants selling food at a good price. We’re just trying to do some nice things for people in the area,” said event volunteer Lou Matinale, wife of Chamber President Dorothy Matinale. “It was a very good turnout. This is our third year and it’s been growing every year.”
The community response was overwhelmingly positive, and children ran free between the moon bounce, food vendors and stages, reporting that they love the festival.
“It’s definitely not a waste of time,” according to 12-year-old Douglaston resident Fiona O’Halloran. “You can get your hair done, you get free bags, you can get all kinds of free stuff. It’s really fun.”
Douglaston parent Fiona Campese manned a bake sale table benefiting the fifth-grade class at PS 98. She said the event is a good chance for the community to come together.
“I think it is a great event for the community, it’s a lot of fun,” she said. “This is the third year so we’re hoping it gets bigger and better every year. It’s a great showcase for local art that encourages our children to get involved in the arts.”
Douglaston resident Katie Burke, 12, agreed.
“It’s really fun. I come here every year,” she said. “It’s a good place to get a lot of things like jewelry at a lower price. All of Douglaston comes out.”
The Douglaston Village Chamber of Commerce’s next event is the Dick Lynch Turkey Trot 5K which begins at 9 a.m. Thanksgiving Day. Named for Lynch, a late New York football Giants player and announcer who called Douglaston home for many years, more information about the trot can be found at douglastonvillagechamberofcommerce.org.
Reach reporter Connor Adams Sheets by e-mail at csheets@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4538.
