After weeks of rainy, gloomy weather, the skies cleared for the Massapequa Park Merchants Association Summer Street Festival last weekend, making way for three days of uninterrupted fun.

The event, a traditional summer cap-off, was held Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, Aug. 18, 19 and 20 on Park Blvd., and drew thousands of revelers from as far west as Queens, and as far east as Riverhead.

"It's such a tradition - the street festival. We've been doing it for so many years. But I think it was just a little better than expected this year," said Gail Klubnick, an organizer of the event, adding that after a prolonged period of damp weather this summer, residents poured out of their homes to take part in the festivities. "I think everyone was anxious to get out of their house," she added.

Klubnick estimated that the festival, which has been held annually for more than 20 years, drew about 6,000 participants each day. In addition, the event enjoyed the largest participation ever by Merchants Association members. Of about 65 businesses located on Park Blvd., 55 merchants took part. "They all went out on the street, and they all introduced themselves to their neighbors, and the people who live in the community, and it was wonderful," described Klubnick. "That's the whole idea behind it, to let people know what's available on Park Blvd."

The event not only helped promote local businesses, but also served as a chance for neighbors to mingle, and share a sense of community.

"I got to see people that I haven't seen since my kids were in grammar school, and my kids are in college now - just by walking around," said Klubnick.

A major highlight of this year's festival, noted Klubnick, was a performance by Beatlemania, a band that covers Beatles songs, and whose members dress in costumes portraying the legendary rock-and-roll group. "It was out of this world. I felt like I was back in the sixties," said Klubnick, noting that she was delighted to see her neighbors enjoying the street performance as well. "Just to see everybody standing there tapping their foot was really worth it ... I saw one little boy say to his mother, 'How come you know all the words?'"

Other attractions included craft vendors, karate demonstrations, and a performance by a local dance school, as well as face-painting, balloons, and rides for children. In addition, a raffle was held to support the efforts of DJ Page. DJ Page is trying to raise money for charity and make the Guinness Book of World Records by living on a rooftop in Massapequa Park for 105 consecutive days. One beneficiary of his efforts is 9-year old Christina Cowan, a resident of Massapequa who is in desperate need of a double lung transplant.

The proceeds of the entire merchants festival will go toward the purchase of Christmas decorations and planters for downtown Massapequa Park, as well as local charities.