Upcoming community events

The pet costume contest and parade, which allows other pets as well, is the Suffolk Barkfest at the Holiday Inn Express in Setauket, rain or shine, from noon to 3:30 p.m. Costume judging and awarding of prizes at the free party will begin at noon.
Sponsors include the hotel, the Save-A-Pet Animal Rescue and Adoption Center and Long Island’s Party 105.

All pets must be on leashes or in carriers and current with vaccinations.

Similar rules apply from noon to 3:30 p.m. Sunday at the Eisenhower (Park) Dog Run in East Meadow. Parking will be in Park Field 7 near the golf course.

“I invite all pet owners to join us . . . for Nassau’s Barkfest,” said County Executive Edward Mangano. “This is a great way to enjoy a nice afternoon.”

Other sponsors are Pet Supplies Plus Long Island and Long Island’s K98.3 radio station, which will supply music at the event.
— SID CASSESE

The collection will be held at the town Public Works Garage at 150 Miller Pl. on the North Service Road of the Long Island Expressway in Syosset between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.

For more information on the S.T.O.P. program — now in its 28th year — call 516-677-5943. A brochure with more details can be downloaded from oysterbaytown.com.
— BILL BLEYER

The festival, Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Town Hall Annex on Phelps Lane in North Babylon, will honor Priscilla Zarate-Valencia of the Brentwood Union Free School District for her work as an educator and her commitment to advancing cultural diversity through bilingual education.

Also being honored is the Gerald J. Ryan Outreach Center, a not-for-profit organization that provides food, clothing and educational services to those in need in the Wyandanch community.

For more information, contact the Department of Human Services at 631-422-7642.
— NICHOLAS SPANGLER