I'm thankful to have grown up on Long Island. I'm even more grateful that my parents picked Babylon Village. Babylon is a small town with a lot of personality. From the end of Fire Island Avenue to the last street off Livingston, we have a charm that most people fall in love with. I grew up in a town that a lot of people never end up leaving because there's never a reason to. So, here's the reasons Babylon Village is the best small town out there.

1. Our fairs.

There's nothing a Babylonian loves more than a good craft fair. The first weekend after school starts in September is the Argyle Fair. A hundred or so booths lace the path going around the lake. Most are selling homemade jewelry or "home is where the heart is" signs. There's the deli pickles and the varsity sports teams making hot dogs the whole day. While growing up, it was always one of my favorite days. I always ended up buying one too many rings.

The Argyle Fair isn't the only crowd drawing event. In December we have a holiday street fair. Main Street is closed from the Plessers end to past the Conklin House. Shopping bags and people bump into each other like a New York City street. Santa and his sleigh drawn by horses take children on rides throughout the night.

2. Our parades.

Either it's the chilly fall when the convertibles with the Homecoming Court is coming around Main Street or it's Memorial Day when the first grade baseball team is tripping down Locust. In the fall, we have all of the high school students make floats to be towed around town and the marching band to follow suit. Varsity cheerleaders chant from whatever truck they're riding in, and all the PeeWee cheerleaders are in tow.

Babylon Village Fire Dept. also marches with the town in their own marching band. Lions Club is armed and carrying the American flag. Girl Scouts have their troop banners and their big smiles going with the steps. As kids, we watch from the curb and pick up loose candy, and as we get older, we get to participate in whatever organization we belong to. All in all, Babylonians love their parades.

3. Our location.

I've gotten into countless fights with other people. Yes, Long Island is the best place out there, but I'm sorry to tell you that Babylon beats whatever other town you're from.

Nothing can be better than our location. Not only is our village on the Great South Bay with a network of canals but we also have the train station. If you don't have a car like I didn't for awhile, you can also take the buses to shopping malls and some of the Robert Moses beach fields. Babylon is home to the last stop on one of the direct lines to Penn Station. It takes me about an hour to get to the city for a night out or for the older members of Babylon to get to work in the morning. Montauk is also about an hour away from our station for a little trip in the summer months.

But in all honesty you don't have to go far to get to the water. Either you can go out on a boat that either you or a friend have on their canal or you can drive over the Robert Moses to get to the Town of Babylon beaches. Gilgo Beach is always the most popular for the Babylonians.

4. Our schools.

As a Panther alum of 2015, I've survived the school system. But unlike other alumni as in Christopher Ryan '89 and Mrs. Borruso, I will not be making the return. Our teachers were also students of the same halls and that's another reason to love Babylon Jr. Sr. High School. We have pride to be Panthers.

Babylon kids either love or hate it but regardless, we make tons of memories. With 130 kids on average, it's unavoidable to become close with all of your classmates. From the beginning of our career with Panther Pride Awards at BMGS to Rainmakers at BHS, we have the best traditions. Senior year is filled with little events to make the most of our school like the Senior Girls shirts and BHS Presents.

5. Restaurants.

We have the best of the best. I hate to brag. Oh wait, no, I don't. Main Street and Mtk Highway have about 14 restaurants and bars lining them. There is a great variety from the Italian of La Familgia, Fancy Lee Sushi and the classic pub food of Mary Carroll's. We do not have large chain restaurants within our village lines, and that adds to the charm of our quaint town. As a teenager, I love to go out to dinner with my girl friends. My parents have a list and are making their way through every restaurant one date night at a time.

Our bar life is a big hit as well. Babylon hosts many different night time venues, from Molto Vino, the wine and cheese bar to the timeless Twisted Shamrock. The Post Office Cafe hosts lifeguard nights on Tuesday nights in the summer while Del Fuego has Margarita Mondays. Personally speaking, my friends and I cannot wait until were old enough to go bar hopping in the village.

6. Our people.

We might refer to ourselves as the "Babylon Bubble," and our gossip spreads faster than wildfire, but it's home. Our people make this place what is it. Due to how small we are, we just happen to have a mutual connection with basically everyone. I could tell you that when I walk to the post office there's a large chance I will see someone I know or their mother.

However small we are, we have a lot of love. Because our borders don't feel bigger than four square miles, we are all each other's neighbors. That means we all help each other out, especially in times of need like Hurricane Sandy. We're a kindhearted town with a lot of soul. I'm proud to call myself a Babylonian, and everyone else in 11702 should be too.