The 2004 Levittown Memorial Day Parade will be held on Monday, May 31 (Memorial Day), beginning at 10 a.m. Once again this year, the parade is being hosted by the Levittown American Legion Post 1711, with PPC Henry To serving as parade chairman. To has once again been working diligently to plan this event, which is one of the largest Memorial Day parades on Long Island.

Those marching in the parade will include groups and individuals representing all areas of the Levittown and Island Trees community. Included in the parade order are school bands, fire departments, youth groups, police, post office workers, local dignitaries, Boy and Girl Scouts, sports teams and community organizations.

The parade will begin at the Island Trees Middle School on Wantagh Avenue and marchers will leave promptly at 10 a.m. From the middle school, the parade will proceed west down Hempstead Turnpike to the Levittown Library and reviewing stand. Those marching are encouraged to arrive at the Island Trees Middle School by 9:30 a.m. and should assemble in the back parking lot.

Since no cars will be permitted to park on school grounds, the district recommends that parents park their cars on the side streets across from the middle school and cross Wantagh Avenue to get to the middle school. Parents and parade participants may also park at the Island Trees High School. No cars will be permitted to park in the circle at Island Trees Middle School as buses will be dropping the marching bands off in the drive circle.

At the reviewing stand, the Island Trees High School Marching Band will be performing the Star-Spangled Banner and Taps.

The Levittown Chamber of Commerce Annual Festival will take place May 27 through 31 with the usual fun and excitement of rides, midway games, petting farm, food and two fireworks displays planned. The festival will be held in the parking lot behind Tri County Flea Market.

A special tribute to veterans will take place on Friday night, May 28, following opening ceremonies at 7 p.m. Following a presentation of plaques to the veterans agencies, there will be music for listening and dancing and, after dark, a patriotic fireworks display by Grucci. Preceding the fireworks, there will be a special 21 gun salute for the veterans. There will be an additional fireworks display on Sunday night.

Festival hours are 5 to 11 p.m. on Thursday, noon to 11 p.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday and noon to 9 p.m. on Monday.

Coupons for $5 off a wristband are available - call Lois Cornibert at 731-3388 for information. One coupon may be used per person per day of the festival.

The chamber thanks Lois Cornibert and her committee, which includes Andy Booth and Frank Mormando, for the great job they've done working with Dreamland Amusements in putting this event together. Thanks also go to Chamber Office Manager Eileen O'Rourke for her assistance.

The East Meadow United Veterans Council (UVC) will sponsor a Memorial; Day Parade and Services on Monday, May 31 - rain or shine. This year, Memorial Day is dedicated to all servicemen and servicemen serving our country throughout the world.

The parade will begin in the East Meadow High School parking field at 10 a.m. and proceed south on Carmen Avenue to Hempstead Turnpike turning left (east) to Prospect Avenue. At Prospect Avenue, the parade will turn right and proceed to its destination, the East Meadow Veterans Memorial Park.

David Gorkin, senior vice commander and member of the Jewish War Veterans Post #709, will be the parade's Grand Marshall. Members of the UVC marking in the parade with Grand Marshal Gorkin include Leonard Latzman, commander of VFW Post #2736 and president of the East Meadow UVC; Tackel Baumgartner and Roland Costen, commander of American Legion Post #1082.

Upon reaching East Meadow Veterans Memorial Park, services in memory of the honored dead and in dedication of those serving our country in the world will begin. A formal program will include the Advance of Colors, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance and the National Anthem, the invocation, the Memorial Prayer, Greetings and the Benediction. Guest speakers will include the New York State Assemblywoman Maureen O'Connell (17th AD) and Nassau County Legislator Norma L. Gonsalves (13th LD)

Following the Memorial Prayer, wreaths from participating organizations will be placed at the memorial by the VFW Color Guard and representatives from participating organizations.

The Wantagh Chamber of Commerce's Annual Festival will be held on Memorial Day weekend, May 28-31, at Sunrise Highway at Beech Street. The festival will feature carnival rides and amusements, musical entertainment with live bands, karaoke, dance contests, food, children's entertainment, a Wizard of Oz costume contest parade and appearances by original munchkins from the Wizard of Oz, courtesy of ozmunchkindland.com. The festival hours are Friday, May 28 from 6 to 11 p.m. and Saturday through Monday, May 29-31, from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Friday night features DJ and "Wantagh Idol" Karaoke and the Oz Munckins. Saturday at 1 p.m. there will be a children's Wizard of Oz costume parade followed by opening ceremonies (raindate Sunday) with the original munchkins and Wizard of Oz costumed characters. LI Banjo from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m.; Student Band Competition from 7 to 9 p.m.; Dance to the sounds of "Sabotage" from 9:30 to 10:30 p.m. Sunday features Kismet Shriner's Concert Band from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m., Student Band Competition from 7 to 9 p.m., Dance to the sounds of "Flash Point" 9:30 to 10:30 p.m. Monday will feature a dance contest and Munchkin show.

For discount advance sale pay one price tickets at $12 each for unlimited amusement rides on Friday night, call the chamber at 679-0100. Visit www.wantaghmall.org for more information.