North Hempstead's 2008 Summer Concert Series, highlighted by the spectacular Memorial Day fire works extravaganza at the newly-expanded North Hempstead Beach Park, surpassed all expectations in attendance.

And, on July 13, the expanded park-created by the merging of the former county-owned Hempstead Harbor Park with the town-owned Bar Beach Park-again witnessed more brilliance as Persian pop star AFSHIN took the stage to the delight of some 6,000 raucous fans.

But as summer winds down, lowering curtains on this year's series of some 30 crowd-pleasing concerts, the town is gearing up to kick off an equally thrilling series of family-oriented fall presentations.

The recently expanded and renamed North Hempstead Beach Park, one of the town's favorite playgrounds, will host the 2008 Fourth Annual FamilyFest.

The event, a fun-filled smorgasbord of entertainment and activities for the entire family, including sand castle building, kite flying, crafts, circle drumming, and kayaking, kicks off at noon on Sept. 14 and ends at 6 p.m.

In addition to the usual culinary fare, a tasty, eclectic serving of live entertainment will be dished up by the likes of Reggae artist Denzel Botus, country music ensemble Runnin' Loose, Hot Peas & Butter children's entertainment and Radio Daze, with its old-school chart-topping pop repertoire. The featured ensemble, Beach Boys tribute band The Driftwoods, will take to the stage at 4:45 p.m.

The concerts are free but a $5 per vehicle parking fee will be charged.

Should inclement weather force cancellation of the event on Sept. 14, concerts will be performed indoors at Schreiber High School in Port Washington.

Celebrating the historic origins of our town, North Hempstead Day, which will be held Sept. 23, will transport visitors back 233 years to this same day in 1775.

On that fateful day, a group of patriots living in the northern section of the town gathered in Cow Neck-modern Port Washington-and declared their allegiance to the revolutionary cause by formally seceding from the town of Hempstead, which was predominantly loyal to England.

The North Hempstead Day festivities will also feature a mock town board meeting for youngsters, giving them insight into local government at work while teaching them a history lesson.

Theodore Roosevelt will also be on hand in the form of look-alike James Foote of Sea Cliff who portrays the 26th president of the United States in all his glory, distinctive high-pitched voice and all.

Weather permitting, a ribbon cutting unveiling the newly-renovated town hall, which has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places will be preceded by a mid-morning parade past Mary Jane Davies Green.

Spooky Week and Winter Wonderland, to be held at Clark Botanic Garden in Albertson on Oct. 29-31 and Dec. 13-14 respectively will round out what promises to be no less entertaining than the summer offerings.

Join us!

For more information, call 311 or 869-6311 or visit the town's website at www.northhempstead.com.