Floral Park's Tulip Street Fair draws thousands ahead of Belmont Stakes in Saratoga
For years, the village shut down Tulip Street for a massive street fair for the community to reign in race weekend for the Belmont Stakes.
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Even though the Belmont Stakes may be in Saratoga this year, it didn’t stop thousands from attending the Tulip Street Fair in Floral Park Friday night.
For years, the village shut down Tulip Avenue for a massive street fair for the community to rein in race weekend for the Belmont Stakes.
"Great village event. Everyone comes together and has a great time,” said Andrew McCann, of Floral Park.
Floral Park Chamber of Commerce President Shane Parouse said this year’s fair brought out more than 40 vendors.
"Multiple music spots, a DJ, a band, there's face painters, balloon makers, it's a lot of fun," he said. "Everybody knows where to be the Friday night before the Belmont."
The race will once again not take place on the island, as Belmont Park undergoes major renovations.
Bill Barry is the owner of Uptown Taco and the Paddock Public House in Floral Park.
"I just feel bad for the younger generation that hasn't experienced a full Belmont weekend yet,” said Barry. “It's kind of like a rite of passage in this town, to have your first Belmont."
Post & Union co-owner Roy Bamberger says he’s excited to see a new and improved Belmont Park.
"We're looking forward to when Belmont opens up,” he said. “We have the Breeder's Cup coming to Belmont and it's only going to get better."
Even with the races in Saratoga this year, it didn’t stop thousands from coming out to the fair Friday night.
Post & Union co-owner Mike McGlynn said they weren’t worried about turnout.
"As you see, the people come out whether the race is here or not,” he said.
It’s a reminder that the community is another year closer to when the Belmont Stakes could return to Long Island.
"Floral Park has always supported Belmont. Belmont has always supported Floral Park. We're very excited for what the future is going to bring as well,” said Barry.
McCann says they’re still going to wake up Saturday and act like the races will be in Elmont.
"We're still going to watch Belmont,” he said. “We're still going to pretend like it's here, and we're still going to have a great time."
The Belmont Stakes will kick off Saturday in Saratoga.
