Huntington Awareness Day set for Sept. 7

Plans are underway for the fourth annual Huntington Awareness Day, set for Sept. 7 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., which organizers say celebrates the community’s unity, diversity and solidarity.

Bands, floats, vintage cars, service groups and local merchants will join the march through Huntington Station from West Hills Road to Church Street, ending at a fair in the municipal parking lot between Railroad and Church streets. The fair will include performances by local artists and booths offering crafts and services.

“Every year, something gets added to make Huntington Awareness Day even more special,” Huntington Town Supervisor Frank P. Petrone said in a statement, “but what hasn’t changed is the incredible showing of pride Huntingtonians have in their community, making this truly an event not to be missed.”

New this year will be the Woof, Wag and Walk Fashion Show, a parade-within-the-parade that will see canines come together to celebrate their breed diversity.

This year’s parade will honor two longtime community residents: Alfred A. Sforza, 99, better known to generations of Huntington Station residents as “Freddie the Shoemaker,” and Charles Gumbs, 83, a member of the Huntington Knights of Columbus, a veteran and a onetime champion middleweight boxer.

For more information on the parade, participation or sponsorship opportunities, go to www.huntingtonawareness.org.