Alive After Five Street Fair, Patchogue, NY
I have been visiting the Patchogue Village “Alive After Five “event for many years. I have seen this event blossom through the years to become what it is today; a very large and very successful Community Event! I would guess that at the particular time segment that I visited the "Street Fair," about Five Thousand People were in attendance!

This street "fair type event" was staged along West Main Street Patchogue, from the “Brick House,” to about 1000 feet East of the Patchogue Theatre. The event was also staged, in a southerly direction, from “Four Corners Patchogue,” to the location of the “Patchogue Music Center.”

I counted five Bands that were playing at various locations, at our Patchogue Village, Street Fair Event! Most of the Bands Played Hard Rock, Rock, and Blues. I was particularly impressed with the Band that was playing on South Ocean Avenue. They were playing Folk Music, that had a distinct, Bluegrass/Country influence. I enjoyed listening to the Mandolin Player. All of the musicians were professional quality. Sorry that I do not have the names of the Bands that were playing! I would hope that someone would send an email to me with the names, so that I could append them to this Blog.

With the advent of the new Rap Music, I have developed a renewed appreciation for Hard Rock, from a standpoint of musicianship. It is not easy to play some of the Hard Rock Songs; many cannot be played by Amateur Musicians. “And then I heard it!” The Band in front of the Brick House Restaurant started to play the Classic Rock tune called “Highway to Hell.” From this moment on, my neighbors will be looking at me over their left shoulder. “Highway to WHERE?” OK just kidding! Back to the Band! The execution of that song was perfect, it sounded just like it was played by the original group, AC/DC. The Band then proceeded to insert their own unique style into the song! It was a great performance!

The overwhelming success of this event also fulfilled a dream that I have had for Patchogue. For many years I have often said that we in the United States do not know how to live! Parts of our lifestyle are completely "sterile," compared to the way people live in Europe. After dinner, we just sit on the couch and watch TV. In Paris, Rome, and Munich, everyone goes to the Town Square to socialize, have a cup of coffee at a Sidewalk Cafe, and enjoy the many Street Musicians! In Austria, an entire orchestra is routinely provided for people to enjoy, during their mid-day meal. This social ritual is performed throughout Europe every night; they really know how to live!

To my amazement, we too have learned how to live! While some of our neighbors were strolling through the streets of Patchogue, buying items from the many vendors, others were enjoying dinner at the outdoor extensions of the “Brick House, and the Main Street Café! This is what life is like in Rome, Paris, Austria and Munich; and it has finally found it's way to Patchogue!

UPDATE! Just received more information:
Complete details of the The July 25, 2008 event can be found at the Official "Alive After Five," Web Site.
(Please click the link below)

http://www.aliveafterfive.com/

Thank You George for the information!

Send your Comments, Articles, and Announcements (about 200 words), to the Maple Avenue Neighborhood Watch, via Email to davispark2000-manw@yahoo.com
(Articles may be edited, paraphrased, or deleted. Name and email address is required before publication. Sending your article, constitutes permission to publish.)
*
Anonymous Comments?
click "Comments {below}," then Click "Anonymous." Type your message, and then click "Publish Your Post." (Text may be edited, paraphrased, or deleted.)