Larchmont Family Fair to return Oct. 26 with rides, costume contest and a tribute
GIANT BEAR AND DINO make friends at last year’s Larchmont Family Fair.
Larchmont Family Fair returns for its 60th year with rides and fun for all ages on Sun., Oct. 26 on Larchmont Boulevard. The Boulevard will be closed to traffic between Beverly Boulevard and First Street.
The street fair will feature a children’s costume contest, rides, live music and cuisine from around the world. Booths will be set up by schools, churches and nonprofits.
Jane Gilman, co-founder of the fair, (and co-founder of the Larchmont Chronicle), will be honored.
“Let’s celebrate her for being a catalyst for starting all of this,” said Romi Cortier, president of the Larchmont Boulevard Association (LBA), sponsor of the fair.
Cortier is asking friends and neighbors to share stories of themselves and their families in regards to the fair as part of a tribute to Gilman to take place at the fair. To be included, reach out to Cortier at romicortier@yahoo.com.
Also planned is a photo booth near Tailwaggers. Beer, wine and wine spritzers will be poured at a bar outside La Bettola di Terroni restaurant. The Larchmont Village Farmers’ Market will be open in its usual spot in the Village parking lot, fair organizer Melissa Farwell said.
Businesses, schools and groups from both down the street to far and wide can apply to have a booth at the fair.
“The more the merrier,” said Larchmont Boulevard Association board member Edie Frère.
Nonprofit groups are invited to “rent a booth” and can keep all proceeds for their charitable organization, school, church or synagogue.
“With an estimated 10,000 visitors, the Larchmont Family Fair is an excellent opportunity to raise awareness and funds for your organization,” Frère said.
The LBA charges a booth fee of $500 to cover the cost of rentals, advertising, promotion, insurance and decorations. LBA members pay $300.
In addition, selling or offering any sort of food or drinks, even bottled water, requires a health department permit.
“Most of those taking booths don’t offer food or drinks, since there is lots of food at the fair, but some have special things that they have always done, like snow cones or cotton candy,” Frère said.
She recommends that booth holders offer fun takeaways to attract passersby. In the past, one school made animal balloons, another—a spa—soothed fairgoers’ muscles with mini massages.
Proceeds from the fair help pay for the costs of security and beautification of the Boulevard.
The deadline to apply for nonprofit booths that require a health permit is Mon., Sept. 15. The deadline for all other booths is Wed., Oct. 15. To inquire about school or nonprofit booths, email Frère at info@landisstationery.com.
To inquire about having a food booth, reach out to Farwell at larchmontboulevardfamilyfair@gmail.com.
The Fair has been a staple of the area since it began as a small-town event in the mid 60s.
Category: Entertainment
