The major league baseball season started just about a month go. There were many opening day ceremonies and many first balls thrown out. Here in the Farmingdale community the baseball season does not start until the Farmingdale Baseball League (FBLI) holds its opening day parade. It's not baseball season until: Take Me Out To The Ball Game is sung, the ceremonial whiffle balls are tossed into the crowd and the green and white balloons are released into the sky. Opening Day, Farmingdale style, is an event I look forward to each year. Each year FBLI brings our community together for their wonderful parade. This year was no exception. More than 700 children and their parents marched down Main Street, up Motor Avenue and into Allen Park. Our local Cub Scouts had the honor of carrying the colors at the front of the parade. What's a parade without fire trucks? Apparatus from the South Farmingdale, Village and North Massapequa Fire Departments, as always, added excitement to the parade. The parade route, once again, was made safe because of the efforts of The Nassau County Auxiliary Police, under the command of our own Joann Edling and of course the officers from the Nassau County Police 8th Precinct. I have to commend and thank the Executive Board of FBLI, Dave Aitchison, the Parade Chairperson and all the FBLI volunteers for taking the time to organize and supervise this event. To see all the children and parents marching and gathering is a yearly reminder of what makes our community so special. I would be remiss if I did not thank the Town of Oyster Bay and Supervisor Venditto for the use of Allen Park and the beautiful showmobile for the event. Park Manager Mike Rauff and his crew always give FBLI all the support they need and always make sure that the fields and park are in perfect shape. I was also honored to share the showmobile stage with the Parade Grand Marshal Senator Kemp Hannon. Senator Hannon was given a plaque as a True Friend of Farmingdale. While it was FBLI presenting the plaque, it very well could have been the Village. Senator Hannon is always there when we need him and it was a pleasure to have some time to chat with him. An event like this is also one that our other elected officials always try to make. With much juggling of his schedule, TOB Supervisor John Venditto made sure to attend as well as: Assemblyman Joseph Saladino, TOB Councilmen Joe Muscarella and Anthony Macagnone, Councilwoman Rose Walker, Nassau County Legislator Ed Mangano, Village Trustees Patricia Christiansen and Butch Starkie and Farmingdale School Board and Youth Council Trustee Kathy Lively. It was another great day Farmingdale Style. Now let's play ball!