Hundreds attend Center Moriches Fall Fest

The Center Moriches High School boys volleyball teams were in force on Center Moriches' Main Street on Saturday, dressed in their jerseys as they stood behind a table selling candles, cupcakes, cookies and chocolate pretzels to raise money for their activities.

“We’ve gotten a lot of support from the community, which is really nice,” said junior varsity coach Corey Frederick, whose group was one of dozens of vendors at the Center Moriches Fall Festival.

The event drew hundreds of people, and children enjoyed ice cream, candy apples and zeppole, while others played in the bounce house or took turns down the blow-up slide.

Colleen Hitt, of Center Moriches, holding her 10-month-old daughter Arrianna, said the festival was the kind of event that makes her appreciate the area.

“We love it here,” she said. “There’s such a sense of community. People are so friendly.”

The next big community event -- the annual “March of the Goblins”  -- will be held on Main Street on Oct. 31 from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Free candy will be handed out to all kids.

Photo: Rachel Waslyn, 5, and her sister Rylee, 7, paint pumpkins at the Center Moriches Fall Festival. (Oct. 22, 2011)