Town of Hempstead's Family Festival by the Sea

Ride the wave of fun and excitement into beautiful Lido Beach Town Park for the Town of Hempstead's Family Festival by the Sea.

Supervisor Kate Murray invites mariners and landlubbers alike to enjoy the concert bands, delicious food, craft and novelty vendors, sand sculptures, eating contests and the exciting lineup of children's shows.

You can also satisfy your "appetite" for fun by getting a "taste" of the clam and rib eating contests on Saturday at 1 p.m. Kids can sample the festival's youthful flavor by enjoying the puppet shows, circus clowns, pony rides, petting zoo, Hofstra Pride basketball clinics, reptiles and cool science. This year's festival will also unveil some of the biggest and bounciest inflatables ever frolicked upon.

Guests can also stroll the boardwalk to water's edge to "dig" the sand castle contest or "race" into Sunday's Biathlon. KJOY's popular morning team "Steve & Peri" will be on hand Saturday to meet their fans and spin the station's wheel of prizes.

Alure Home Improvements and Optimum have climbed aboard as festival sponsors along with Swingbelly's, Blue 42 and Landshark Restaurants. Additional support has been provided by Atlantic Nursery, Hofstra University, and PRG.

Anyone interested in entering either the clam eating or rib eating contests can call 516-812-3307. Lido Beach Town Park is located at 630 Lido Boulevard in Lido Beach. Admission and parking are free.