On Sep. 24, the Village Day Fall Festival took place on the main lawn of the Sands Point Preserve from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m., just two days after the start of autumn.  The Village Day Fall Festival has taken place at the Preserve every year since 2007, and the festival celebrates the arrival of fall with various activities.  This year’s turnout was especially high, as many people came with their families and pets.

Although it seemed more like summer than fall with the temperatures in the high 80s, it did not ruin the mood of the day.  However, some were disappointed with the high temperature.  Since the weather was so hot, many families chose to take a dip in the Long Island Sound down at the beach.

“The weather was too hot.  They should’ve called it the summer festival instead,” said freshman Daniel Doherty.

There were a variety of activities for festival attendees to enjoy, such as hayrides and pony rides. The Schreiber Key club offered a pumpkin painting activity, as is the club’s tradition. Children picked out plain pumpkins and brought them over to the picnic tables to paint decorations on them.

The festival also offered a petting zoo, where families could meet farm animals like goats, rabbits, and chickens.  Music and entertainment was provided by the musicians from Bach to Rock, who performed for most of the event.  Bach to Rock also set out various instruments for children to play with on their own.

“I had a great time at the fall fest.  I was happy to find seasonal foods such as apple cider donuts, apple pie, and candy apples.  The food brought out the essence of fall, even though the weather didn’t help,” said junior Danielle Ryan.

There was also a fire truck and an ambulance that children could take tours of, as well as a greengrocer market where festivalgoers could buy fall goods, such as apples, mini pumpkins, and pastries made at the Jericho Cider Mill.

Food trucks, including Mel’s ice cream truck and Rosie’s Grilled Cheese, and a cupcake truck offered treats for the attendees.  Families were able to purchase their food at the and enjoy a picnic lunch on the grass.

In addition to these activities, many festival attendees explored the preserve itself to appreciate the beauty of nature.  The Village Day Fall Festival allowed residents to appreciate the changing of the seasons while taking a stroll through the Sands Point Preserve.

“The fall festival was fun because it was nostalgic and brought me back to my childhood in the celebration of fall,” said junior Natalia Becsak.  “I think the festival is best suited for younger kids, but because I was with my friends, I was able to make the most out of it.  It was also a bit nostalgic for me because I used to spend a lot of time here when I was a kid.”