Duck Pond Day, Wading River’s annual street festival, drew a big crowd to the historic hamlet this afternoon.
The event kicked off with a 5K walk/run, followed by a parade at noon and then plenty of time to browse vendor booths, shop, eat and enjoy live music performed by two bands.
The event is produced by the Wading River-Shoreham Chamber of Commerce, which today presented its man of the year award to Robert Nasta, owner of My Creperie on Sound Road in Wading River. Nasta served in the Navy as a parachute rigger. He was deployed overseas twice: in 2002 during Operation Enduring Freedom and in 2004 during Operation Iraq
Freedom. Nasta makes time to volunteer at Little Flower and also fosters homeless cats.
Wading River-Shoreham Chamber of Commerce president Frank DeCecco presented Nasta with a proclamation from State Sen. Ken LaValle.
“Mr. Nasta is a role model we can point to with a deep sense of pride,” DeCecco said.
“He is a generous entrepreneur who does many acts of unselfish kindness in the community,” said Riverhead Town Supervisor Laura Jens-Smith, who presented Nasta with a proclamation from the town. “The Town of Riverhead is grateful and appreciative for all you do.”
Councilwomen Jodi Giglio and Catherine Kent also attended the ceremony and marched with Jens-Smith in the parade. In addition to Riverhead officials, the parade included town police vehicles, the Wading River Fire Department, numerous Scout troops, antique vehicles and floats. (Nesconset Construction took home the “best float” trophy.)
Kaylee Colantropo, age 11, won a design contest run by the chamber. Her winning design appears on this year’s Duck Pond Day commemorative T-shirts. DeCecco presented Kaylee with a gift basket.
Chamber member George Eldi, a coordinator of event, said a group of chamber members “really went above and beyond” to make the event happen: Kelly Farrell of Salon Expert, Jason and Samantha Nagorski of R.E.N. Design Co., Millie Thomas of Landmark Realty, Ryan and Dave Longboat of Nesconset Construction Co. and Joe Fiorentino of State Farm Insurance.
RiverheadLOCAL photos by Denise Civiletti
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