The 2006 Sayville Summerfest by the Greater Sayville Chamber of Commerce was simply spectacular this year and it will go down in the history as one of the best Summerfests ever.

The event was held August 4, 5 and 6, 2006 Downtown Sayville along Main Street, on part of Railroad Avenue, on Gillette Avenue, at Gillette Park and at the Rotary Park.  It had awesome weather, fantastic entertainment, thrilling rides, international foodfest, craft tables galore, a gigantic car show and more people than ever seen at any Summerfest before.

The first few Sayville Summerfests were known as Oysterfests and many clams and oysters were sold along with plenty of silver buckets full of beer. They were truly wonderful events and this year's Summerfest will rank with the best of them.

The festivities kicked off Friday night with the Star Spangled Banner performed by Michelle O'Keefe followed by introductions by President William C. Hoover of the Greater Sayville Chamber of Commerce. Amongst the party present to open the carnival were: Legislator Bill Lindsay, Assemblywoman Ginny Fields, Town of Islip Supervisor Eric Hofmeister, Council member Pamela Greene, Council member Steve Flotteran, Janet Berger of Century 21, Pamela Raymond of Sayville Inn, Nancy Venier of Coming Home to Country,  Debra Corbin of Dynamic Concepts and Richard Tripicovsky.

Rock and Roll Band Element entertained the crowd and wrists bands were sold so the kids could go on unlimited rides for one special price. As every year, the Carnival Rides were provided by All Country Amusements.

Saturday began with Children's Fun Run and 4 Mile John P. Cohalan Run, sponsored by Sayville Ford. It continued with a wonderful Art Show on Main street, Craft Show on Gillette and Railroad Avenues and entertainment such as Femfire! Belly Dance Troop at the Gillette Park stage.

Releve' Dance Center, Sayville Dance Theater and the Airport Playhouse held wonderful performances on Main Street in front of the Washington Mutual Bank.

The International Street Performers and the Long Island Karting Association held demonstrations on Old Main Street, while the Sayville Library entertained children at the Gillette Park stage with Little Folks Storytime.

The Sayville Fire Department executed a rescue and extraction maneuver on North Main Street and the Community Ambulance Company handed out emergency informational packets.

In the evening the Chaperones & Vito Balsamo wowed the crowed performing their hits "Cruise to the Moon", "Unchained Melody", "Gloria" and more at the Gillette Park Stage.

Sunday featured a huge Classic Car Show presented by Still Cruisin' Car Club. There were shiny flawless classic cars as far as the eye could see and adults and children alike were gawking in amazement at these timeless beauties. In the midst of all these colorful cars,  Killer Joe and the Lido Soul Review put on an unforgettable show rocking the town with hits such as "Hey Bartender" and "Soul Man."

The Sayville Bayport Aerodome Society impressed the crowds with a noon Fly-By over Sayville with many classic and colorful bi-winged planes.

The entertainment also included Tumi, Jonny-B-Good, The Defenders, Range of Motion, Coalition of Disabled Musicians, Heart of Long Island, The Gold Tones, Harold's Trousers and Six Gun.  Ovation Dance Academy and Glory Zone Ministries performed at the West Main Street stage.

The American Legion, Smith Wever Post #651 with Commander Frank J. Ciulla and Adjutant Thomas DeLuca (pictured below)  held a monumental rock climbing station and a camouflaged Hummer for kids to pose in at Rotary Park.

The Kiwanis Club of Sayville hosted it's Annual Gambling Tent in Gillette Park and people spun the wheels, rolled the dice and played blackjack.  One lucky winner walked away with one very large basket of wine and assorted beverages.

The International Foodfest included everything from Italian ices, funnel cakes, corndogs, sweet roasted corn, a smorgasbord of seafoods, shrimp, scallops, clams, hot dogs, hamburgers, fries, streak sandwiches, sausage and peppers, turkey legs, shish kebob, zeppolis, gyros and, of course, souvlaki. And if you always wanted to know what a souvlaki is here goes: It is usually a combination of beef, lamb, pork grilled on a stick and served on a round pita bread with lettuce, tomato, onions, and sadziki, a cucumber-yogurt-garlic sauce that is what makes souvlakis taste so great!

Luckily, Sayville has its own authentic Greek restaurant, Aegean Cafe, so you don't have to wait until next year's Summerfest to get one.

Congratulations to the Greater Sayville Chamber of Commerce and all the volunteers for putting on a truly remarkable and memorable event.

To find out about the next Sayville Summerfest or other upcoming events in Sayville go to www.sayvillechamber.com, call 631-567-5257 or email them at: info@sayvillechamber.com