THIS IS THE WEEKEND: Sunday JUNE 13

At the Mamaroneck Harbor Street Fair:
More Archie, Water, Ships, Reenactments

by Sunny Goldberg & Carolyn Pomeranz

(Updated June 10, 2004) After months of hearing about what's coming to the Mamaroneck Historic Harbor Street Fair, this is the weekend for everyone to get down to Mamaroneck Avenue and enjoy all the attractions. Fairgoers will see both old and new as they take “A Stroll Through History” at Mamaroneck Village’s 2004 Historic Harbor Street Fair on Sunday, June 13 from 11 am to 5 pm in Mamaroneck Avenue’s central business district and Harbor Island Park.

“ We know that it was virtually impossible for anyone to experience every part of the fair last year,” said fair co-chairperson Carolyn Pomeranz, “so we extended the fair this year an additional hour. Many people came up to us saying they were disappointed that they missed touring the tall ships or watching the silent movies, for example. The only problem is we added new things too, so just one hour more still won’t be enough!” she added. Organizers also hoped the extra hour would entice fairgoers to stay in the village for dinner, sampling one of its many fine restaurants.

Archie, Betty, Jughead and the Gang

One of the new attractions this year spills a well-kept secret. It’s a little known fact that Mamaroneck Village is home to Archie Comic Publications that publishes the popular and longstanding teenage humor comic books that feature Archie along with his friends Jughead, Betty and Veronica.
“Artists will be drawing the Archie character and giving them to the people that come by,” said chairman Michael Silberkleit. “They’ll also be selling some of their original art work.”

And that’s not all. Managing editor Victor Gorelick will put on a presentation showing the process involved in creating a comic book. There also will be free comic books, including one that was created in partnership with Westchester County Executive Andy Spano dealing with teen issues such as under-age drinking, peer pressure, bullying, stress and communicating with parents.

Water, Water

Another new feature at the harbor fair this year will be a water pavilion entitled “It’s All About Our Water.” The 14 groups involved in this fun look at protecting the waters of Long Island Sound include The Maritime Aquarium in Norwalk, Connecticut.

The aquarium will bring touch tanks to the Mamaroneck Harbor with sea stars, Japanese shore crabs and other sea creatures. It will also put on a “pollution soup” presentation, with vegetable dyes to symbolize different pollutants including green for fertilizer and orange for battery acid.

Author Tom Anderson will be signing copies of his book about the history of Long Island Sound at the water pavilion. Titled This Fine Piece of Water: An Environmental History of Long Island Sound, it includes a forward by Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.

New this year is a surprisingly fascinating educational and informative view of Mamaroneck’s water treatment facility, as guided tours will be offered at this county-run plant during certain times throughout the fair day.

Tall Ships

Due to popular demand, there will be two extra tall ship in Mamaroneck Harbor: the Sound Waters and the Quinnipiack are returning and they will be joined by the 81-foot, gaff-rigged schooner Argia, and the Christeen, an oystering sloop. These ships dock in the harbor giving local residents a chance to climb aboard and learn about the sea-faring ways of old.

Quinnipiack (left) Argia (above) and Sound Waters will appear.

More War... Reenactments

The Revolutionary and Civil War reenactments are being expanded this year. It will be possible to witness the Skirmish of Heathcote Hill or watch a firing demonstration and bayonet drill. New this year is the Confederate Army paying a visit in the Civil War area.

Children can also get in on the act at the Civil War camp. “We’ll take them through the steps of a full company drill,” said Joe Tafuri, a Mamaroneck resident and chair of war reenactments/demonstrations for the fair. They can also play colonial games, watch a blacksmith, weaver and cooper create their wares, and enlist in George Washington’s Army. In the Story Grove, children of all ages can listen to Native American stories and music, and a historic storyteller from the library.

That's Entertainment

Whether walking or hopping on a trolley to get from Harbor Island Park to downtown Mamaroneck, fairgoers are likely to encounter strolling entertainers to watch on the way.

Once downtown, the options include watching a silent movie with live piano accompaniment at the Clearview Playhouse movie theatre, wandering the booths with antiques, arts and crafts and community information, grabbing a snack at the food court between Halstead and Spencer Avenues, or watching the entertainment on the main stage.

Sunny Goldberg and Carolyn Pomeranz are lead organizers for the Mamaroneck Historic Harbor Street Fair.