Belmont Festival at Garden City Is Just Around the Corner

Preparations are well under way for the second annual Belmont Festival at Garden City, a massive celebration to be held June 9 on the eve of the historic Belmont Stakes, the third jewel of thoroughbred racing's Triple Crown.

Helping to make the Belmont Festival at Garden City even bigger and better than last year's event are Festival Chairperson Mary Dolan Grippo (center), who also serves as vice president for sales and marketing at the Garden City Hotel, and (from l. - r.): Sergeant First Class Dennis Kea, Queens Recruiting Company; Captain Joseph W. Varney, commander, Queens Recruiting Company; Dorothy Tripp, director of tourism, Town of Hempstead; Mark G. Maroney, communications and promotions assistant, the New York Racing Association Inc.; Bob Schoelle, Jr., village administrator, Village of Garden City; Ernest Cipullo, Garden City police commissioner; Althea Robinson, executive director, Garden City Chamber of Commerce; and Jerry Unger, board member, Garden City Chamber of Commerce.

According to Mary Dolan Grippo, chairperson of the Belmont Festival at Garden City and vice president for sales and marketing at the Garden City Hotel, this year's event will feature street performers, antique cars, musical entertainment, and plenty of other festivities.

"The street fair portion of the festival will begin at 6 p.m. on Friday, June 9," explained Grippo. "Then, starting at 7 p.m., there will be an extensive parade along Franklin Avenue which will continue down Seventh Street to the Garden City Hotel. Everyone from the local fire and police departments to the US Army will be represented. There will also be plenty of surprises, which are sure to thrill the thousands of residents and visitors who come out to make the festival another huge success."

In addition to KeySpan, the Garden City Hotel is a major sponsor of the Belmont Festival at Garden City. More information on the event may be obtained by calling Mary Dolan Grippo at 747-3000.