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Arts & Entertainment

Tulip Festival at Heckscher Park

The town of Huntington's 11th annual Tulip Festival is set for Sunday, May 1, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Heckscher Park.

The family-oriented festival features hands-on children's activity booths, family performances on the Chapin Rainbow Stage, art exhibitions, lectures and demonstrations, refreshment sales booths, and more than 20,000 tulips.

The festival is presented by the town of Huntington in cooperation with various community agencies, with chief sponsorship support provided by Astoria Federal Savings. A list of participating agencies and sponsors can be found in the festival brochure.

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Some weather conditions (e.g., lightning) could result in cancellation of outdoor festival activities, but essentially the Tulip Festival is held "rain or shine."

Events include face painting, arts and crafts, share-a-story from the Huntington Public Library, flower planting, seashore discovery by the Riverhead Foundation for Marine Research & Preservation, and a children's parade in commemoration of the dedication parade held in 1920 when Heckscher Park first opened, performances on the Chapin Rainbow Stage. There also will be booths by community groups.

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The festival ends at 4 p.m ., but exhibits in the Heckscher Museum will be on display until 5 p.m. It is the last day of the exhibit "Long Island's Best: Young Artists at The Heckscher," which displays the artwork of 80 young artists from across Long Island.

The brochure, right, has a complete schedule of events and listing of sponsors and participating agencies.

For the shutterbugs in town, there is a Huntington Tulip Festival Photo Contest: Download a copy of the current prospectus and entry form for the Huntington Tulip Festival Photo Contest, at right.

There also is a free shuttle to the at the Dr. Daniel W. Kissam House Museum, 423 Park Ave., which runs from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, May 1.

Here are some of the events on the Chapin Rainbow Stage:

 12:00-12:45 p.m.
Broadhollow Theatre presents “Cinderella” – Share the story of Cinderella, her wicked stepmother and stepsisters, the fairy godmother and a handsome prince. Presented by the Huntington Arts Council. Sponsored by Astoria Federal Savings.

1:15-2:00 p.m.
Chapin Rainbow Stage Performance, Sounds of Afrika – Founded by Kojo Bey, Abishai Ben Reuben, and Deborahou Calhoun in 1995, this
African drum and dance troupe performs nationally and internationally, promoting African and African-American culture in schools and communities worldwide. Presented by the Huntington Arts Council. Sponsored by Cablevision.
2:00-2:15 p.m.
Historic Children’s Parade: Sounds of Afrika leads our re-enactment of the annual children’s parade that followed the 1920 dedication of Heckscher Park. Parade will leave from and return to the stage audience area. (Parents: Please accompany your child in the parade. The town cannot assume responsibility for your child.)
3:00-3:45 p.m.
Chapin Rainbow Stage Performance: “Patricia Shih’s Big Ideas!” – Accompanied by her band, this dynamic award-winning singer/songwriter will delight families with her all-audience participation concert. Presented by the Huntington Arts Council.

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