The summer months are the busiest of the year, and while the public plans their own vacations, activities, and forms of leisure, the communities and towns spare no expense in planning their own.
The hamlet of Holbrook is one that is unfortunately overshadowed by nearby areas. With Bohemia and MacArthur Airport on the neighborhood’s western border, Farmingville and Medford to the east, and Patchogue immediately south, Holbrook’s businesses and attractions can be overlooked when compared to the surrounding communities.
Although the Holbrook landmarks of Mamma Lombardi’s and Irish Times require no introduction, a monumental community staple occurs on a yearly basis to close out the summer, and it demands significant planning and manpower to host: the Holbrook Festival.
The twenty-eight-year-old event draws thousands of people every year, with planning starting in April. The festival typically runs during the last weekend of August and puts Holbrooks squarely on the map as one of the most anticipated summer events in central Suffolk.
While the community street fairs, town days, and music festivals are all eagerly anticipated, the Holbrook Festival sets itself apart in that it’s a full-blown carnival more than anything. Rides, games, attractions, a variety of food and vendors, community sponsors and chamber members, and elected officials all partake in the four-day event, the climax of which is Saturday night’s fireworks show.
Rick Ammirati, who has been President of the Holbrook Chamber of Commerce for twenty-three years, regularly makes his community and the businesses and residents associated with it stand out during the rest of the year when the Festival is not in operation. Ammirati has taken it upon himself to make Holbrook a more trafficked community, regularly working to ensure necessary upgrades and services – such as sewers – are in the works to help his hamlet compete with the neighboring ones.
“This carnival started out as a small street fair in 1995 in the parking lot of Friendly’s shopping plaza on Main Street,” said Ammirati. “We moved to the Sachem Administrative Building on Union Avenue in 2001, where we started the actual carnival. Then we were at Seneca Middle School in 2003 where we expanded, and then came to the Country Club in 2017. I’ve been involved in every single one of them.”
Ammirati described the local chamber members who sponsored food, such as Trio’s, Island Empanada, Bello’s Halal Grill, and Mr. Frostie.
“We had several thousand people over the four days and even brought back our Mr. and Ms. Holbrook by popular demand which we haven’t done since 2019,” said Ammirati. “I want to thank our sponsors, our chamber volunteers – we had close to fifty members who sponsored – and Town of Islip Parks Commissioner Tom Owens. The Holbrook Fire Department, the Suffolk Police Department were both on hand during the entire event.”
Ammirati also discussed the team effort for this event, saying that the Fair is run completely by volunteers, with no paid employees within the chamber.
The proceeds will go to fund their lawn maintenance program, which irrigates, seeds, and maintains the grass from the “Welcome to Holbrook” sign on Smith Ave to the 7-11 on Union Avenue. Proceeds will also fund spraying of weeds on the medians along Union Avenue. Finally, proceeds will also maintain the holiday lights program along Main Street, Furrows Rd, Union Ave, Grundy Ave.
Ammirati also briefly discussed the potential of Holbrook as it receives necessary upgrades to become a more vibrant business district:
“After 16 years of lobbying, the Legislature has secured $12 million in grant funds for our Main Street/Union Ave sewer project,” said Ammirati. “The project is due to be completed by spring of 2027, and it’s already underway. They started soil testing and planning. It’s fully funded and we even got a federal grant of $3 million from Congressman Andrew Garbarino (R-Bayport).”
Ammirati and company’s efforts to put Holbrook on the map have not gone unfulfilled. A new Holbrook resident attended the fair with her young child on Saturday and not only was she thrilled with the fair itself, but also with the hamlet of Holbrook.
Kara Lamendola recently moved to Holbrook from Seaford. Looking to leave Nassau County for the quieter suburbs during COVID, Lamendola was already sold on moving to Suffolk County, but exactly where in Suffolk was still a question. She had heard so much about Holbrook and, according to her, it more than lives up to new expectations:
“I lived in Seaford and then Lindenhurst for a little while. During COVID, my husband and I were looking to move to Suffolk County since his family is in Patchogue, but everyone kept telling me how nice Holbrook is,” said Lamendola. “It’s such a great, family-oriented town.”
Due to personal reasons, Lamendola did not explore the town during her first couple of years here. Now, all bets are off as she looks to explore her new neighborhood.
“I stayed secluded during COVID, but this summer is the summer to infiltrate Holbrook,” said Lamendola. “This fair is amazing, it’s one of the best I’ve been to. It’s great seeing all these kids and families here because it makes me feel reassured to know we’re living in such a great town and that my kid will grow up in such a nice area.”
Lamendola looks forward to continuing her discoveries within the hamlet. She also looks forward to the implementation of sewers in the business district and the potential for Holbrook to be a walkable town.
“I would love a place where I can just park, take my kid in the stroller and walk around to these great businesses and restaurants and connect with the community.”
Legislator Anthony Piccirillo (R-Holtsville) of the Eighth Legislative District not only attended the fair with his staff, but also helped sponsor the event.
“It’s been another great year at the Holbrook Carnival, I look forward to it every single year,” said Piccirillo. “It’s great to bring the community together with local businesses. A big thanks to the Holbrook Chamber of Commerce and President Rick Ammirati and Vice President Kevin Guilfoyle for organizing such a great event. I hope everyone enjoys this last bit of summer with their families.”
Piccirillo is on the ballot this November for a third term in the Suffolk Legislature.
Assemblyman Doug Smith (R-Holbrook) of the Fifth Assembly District attended the Fair not only as an elected official, but also for his daughter’s birthday party. Assemblyman Smith has brought his family to the Holbrook Fair in previous years, so his daughter has become fond of the marquee weekend.
“We look forward to the Holbrook Fair every year,” said Smith. “It’s a fantastic event for a fantastic town. Our daughter, Sophie, has always loved it so much, so when she wanted her birthday party at the Fair this year, it was a no-brainer. A huge thank you to Rick Ammirati and the Holbrook Chamber for another successful festival! Twenty-eight years and counting!”
Islip Town Councilman John Lorenzo (C-Sayville) of the Fourth Council District spent time connecting with the voters in anticipation of his first election to the Islip Town Council in November.
“I want to thank Rick Ammirati and the entire Holbrook Chamber for the great event they’ve put on,” said Lorenzo. “As a small business owner, the amount of people involved in this and the investment they’ve put into the community is crucial to the survival of small business. I appreciate everything they do, and I appreciate being here!”
Lorenzo owns South Shore Abstract, Inc., a title insurance company with offices in Sayville. He previously served as Chair of the town’s Zoning Board before his appointment to the Town Council’s Fourth District in January after the resignation of Mary Kate Mullen (R-Bayport). Mullen resigned her Council post after her November election to serve as the Fifth District Court Judge.
Lorenzo is running for a first full term and faces Thomas Murray III (D-Sayville) this November.
Candidate for Islip Town Clerk Linda Vavricka (R-East Islip) also attended the fair on Saturday.
“I’d like to thank the Chamber, and all involved for putting on such a great, successful event for the families of this area,” said Varvicka.
Vavricka will face Sarah Smith (D) in November for the open Town Clerk seat.
Assemblywoman Jodi Giglio (R-Riverhead) of the Second Assembly District also made a guest appearance at the fair.
“It’s always a great time with a family crowd at the Holbrook Fair,” said Giglio. “If you didn’t make it this year, come on down next year!”
Suffolk Legislator Leslie Kennedy (R-Nesconset) of the Twelfth District and County Comptroller John Kennedy (R-Nesconset) also attended the Festival on Saturday.
“It’s lovely!” said Legislator Kennedy. “Holbrook is such a nice town and I know my constituents from Ronkonkoma love coming to this Festival every year.”
Food ranged from typical carnival food like popcorn, cotton candy, and funnel cakes, to burgers, hot dogs, and hot, fresh-shucked ears of buttered corn.
Some organizations and vendors also attended the carnival with booths. Renewal by Andersen, Sachem Public Library, Mr. Tech Bench, and Abundant Life church were all part of the weekend.
The Holbrook Fire Department constructed a course of exhibits at the fair’s entrance, including a full fire engine on display, as well as interactive displays to demonstrate what firefighters do in emergency situations.
Event and firework sponsors included the Suffolk County Legislature and Legislator Piccirillo, Holbrook MTA Auto Service, the CM Performing Arts Center, VRP Insurance Agency, and the Special FX Wizard of Long Island.
The Messenger congratulates Ammirati, Guilfoyle, the Holbrook Chamber of Commerce, and the sponsors for another successful Holbrook Carnival.
