To the people of St. Gregory's in my hometown,
Summer is here! At last! The warm weather has greeted us with open arms. However, most importantly, St. Gregory's annual festival is near. As kids, this was one thing we looked forward to more than summer break.
It was only yesterday that we regularly purchased the P.O.P. wristbands in a line that was so long that we all cried. We went to school that week with the great mystery of what rides would come this year. Everybody wanted the Pharaoh's Fury for the thrills, the train ride that was next to the dugouts. For 11 nights in June, this was our version of Six Flags.
You have been here because practically every single privately-owned business in town had posters, which now seem like a microcosm, because they seem so large, yet, so small. The entire town and towns over Bellerose get the message about the greatest 11 nights you will have in this town.
Our festival, as it still goes on today, began with a parade around town. The St. Gregory's Athletic Association teams participates, and us kids, too, were a part of a grand procession—a grand marshall leads the parade with bagpipers and the NYPD and FDNY delegation book-ending the parade to keep us happy.
You heard the microphone saying "Over there is the 50/50, and on the west side of the yard is the Super 50/50." Bands blasted great music that included the oldies but goodies as well as popular music to stretch the mind's imagination. The ladies went around collecting 50/50 tickets, "Dollar a chance, six for five." People would dance to the Siege of Ennis in Tommy Mulvahill's Irish band, who is still performing strong for Irish Weekend at the Festival.
And then, of course, there were the games. From a unique version of "The Price is Right's"Plinko, to a basketball hoop that is almost impossible to score, and even water shooting games, too. There were the joys of the prize, and the sorrows of leaving empty-handed.
This 11-night extravaganza is open not just to the people of St. Gregory's, but everyone. All who enter the gates in June have the same rights.
We've all been frustrated when the rain came down at the wrong time, closing down the festival and leaving us with nothing to do that night because we had our sights set on the fairgrounds.
Nowadays, these 11 nights keep Bellerose alive and well.
Now, for people of my age, this is a great chance to reacquaint ourselves with our long-lost old pals, who parted ways at eighth grade graduation. We may have outgrown all of the rides (OK, maybe most of them), but this is a great place to socialize, make new acquaintances and friends and perhaps meet loved ones.
Remember these things as you step through the gates in a few short days.
Until then, clear the yard.
