By 11:30 a.m. last Sunday, April 26, it was apparent to all the residents of Garden City that the rain was not going to stop and the Second Annual Spring Festival, that was to begin at noon with an opening ceremony in 7N, was not going to take place as scheduled. Members of the Central Business Alliance (CBA) who were hosting the event to benefit the Special Education Parent Teacher Association (SEPTA) were disappointed, but did not allow themselves to give up and stop working to plan an event that would even outshine last year's very successful festival. The members of the CBA, under the direction of this year's administrator, Mary Zimmer, worked diligently with former adminstrator and festival coordinator Elliott Tulkoff to get the word out that while the festival was rained out that day, it was only delayed and not canceled entirely.

A raindate of Friday, May 15 was selected and plans for the festival to begin at 4 p.m. and run until 8 p.m. were mutually agreed upon by the members of both the CBA and SEPTA. Festival Coordinator Tulkoff commented that he feels the Friday date will afford the community, "a fabulous opportunity to unwind after a week of work and school. It'll be a wonderful way to start the weekend as the kids get to enjoy all of the fun activities we have planned for them and the adults are treated to musical performances and shopping opportunities from the fantastic shops here in the Village." As families come and buy chances in the various raffles that will be held, make purchases from the shops that have set up tables along Seventh Street, and share with friends around Long Island how much the business community of Garden City has to offer, they will be not only contributing significantly to the revitalization of the Village's business district, but also to SEPTA. All proceeds raised at the festival will go to benefit the children of Special Education in the Garden City schools.

Last year a total of $5,000 was donated to SEPTA. Each principal of the elementary schools recieved a $1,000 grant from the money raised from the event to spend on what the principal determined were immediate or important needs for the special education children at the school. A summer elementary school program for the summer of 1997 was created for special education children, reference resources for the middle school's resource rooms, and computer equipment for SEPTA to enable them to communicate with the public and the schools were all paid for by the funds raised at last year's CBA Spring Festival.

Not only does the Spring Festival create an opportunity to raise money for children in the Garden City educational system who have special educational needs, but it provides a forum for public education and discussion about special education. Understanding the needs of the children in the community and the best means of addressing those needs is SEPTA's primary concern, and as the CBA works to support this effort, it becomes their goal as well. Enabling the principals to identify the best means to directly impact each and every child and address their individual needs is the goal that has become the driving force behind Garden City's newest spring tradition.

The festival will feature a wide array of games and entertainment of family fun and excitement. Seventh Street will be the place to visit with friends and neighbors and share a warm spring evening full of commuity spirit. Eileen Collins will be the master of ceremonies and will surely delight everyone with her sense of humor and warmth. The CBA and SEPTA thank all residents in advance for their support and look forward to seeing everyone on Seventh Street May 15.