On March 28 & 29, Long Island's largest martial arts tournament will be coming to Massapequa Park.

The American Karate Championships 2009, which is hosted by the American Black Belt Academy in Massapequa Park, will be held at the Massapequa High School.

The event will attract hundreds of competitors from the east coast of the country along with their families and interested spectators. These families will completely fill local hotels and pack larger hotels around the area. Local restaurants like Mercato, Friday's and Smokin' Al's should expect many of these out of towners to dine out with their families.

In addition the American Black Belt Academy will hold a food drive to benefit the St. Rose of Lima Outreach Program. The LoVarco family, which owns the academy, said this year is showing signs of being the biggest tournament they have held and they have been doing this annually for the last ten years.

"We have seen a large increase in sign ups particularly from the New England area," said Tom Lo Varco. "We also invite any local businesses to drop off literature to be displayed at the tournament."

If you would like to make a monetary donation or a donation of non-perishable food they can be brought to the American Black Belt Academy which is located at 4875 Merrick Rd., one block west of Massapequa High School.

For more information you can call 795-8531.