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Long Island Nostalgia Fest is a throwback to the '90s - Newsday

Published 9 hours ago6 minute read

This summer enter a time warp into the '90s via Mineola at the Long Island Nostalgia Fest in Wilson Park on July 11 and 12 (rain date July 18 and 19). Presented by LiPOPUP Event Production, this two-day event will bring on a host of activities that will take you back to the Clinton administration.

“The '90s is Gen Z’s '70s. It’s that elusive era they wish they got to see,” says Grace Kelly, owner-founder of LiPOPUP. “It’s the last generation that was completely unplugged.”

Here are all the different ways to help you get jiggy with it.

Hot wheels: Limitless Culture will host skateboard competitions at Long Island Nostalgia Fest. Credit: Will Angiulo

Dive into '90s skateboard culture as Limitless Culture presents “Skateboard Jam” featuring two competitions for both transition skating and street skating.

“Transition skating is in the halfpipe. The skater will go back and forth from one side of the ramp to the other, grind the coping at the top where they’ll do tricks and aerial maneuvers,” Will Angiulo, founder-owner of Limitless Culture says. “Meanwhile street skating is based on obstacles plus ramps and rails on the ground.”

Limitless Culture will also be selling merchandise such as socks, hats, T-shirts, sweatshirts and hoodies ($15-$70).

“We will be heat pressing shirts in various sizes and people can watch the whole process,” Angiulo says. “The designs are based on cultural moments and nostalgic memories.”

Serve the Servants will serve up the hits of Nirvana.

Serve the Servants will serve up the hits of Nirvana.

The '90s were epic for rock music and the LI Nostalgia Fest will echo that sentiment. Cover bands will pay tribute to groups like Weezer (Undone), Nirvana (Serve the Servants) and No Doubt (Hella Doubt).

“We play the hit singles that everybody loves as well as some deep cuts for the hard-core fans,” says Serve the Servants lead singer-guitarist Matt Marcus, of West Babylon, who dresses up like the late Kurt Cobain. “Sometimes we will even do an unplugged set. There’s a little something for everybody.”

Songs like “Don’t Speak,” “Just a Girl” and “Underneath It All” will be part of Hella Doubt’s set list.

“During ‘Holla Back Girl,’ the crowd gets into chanting ‘B-A-N-A-N-A-S!,’ ” says bassist Daniela Ammendolea, of Huntington. “Our lead singer Christa Braunreuther puts her all into playing Gwen Stefani. She jumps around the stage and gets deeply into the vibe of the songs.”

Wrestler-actor Brimstone, aka William Kucmierowski, of Levittown, who has competed matches in the National Wrestling Alliance, World Wrestling Federation and Wrestling World Wide, will be signing autographs and taking selfies.

“My style was slow and methodical. I’d pick up the pace when I wanted to,” he says. “I’m a show guy and a gimmick guy. I like to make every move count.”

Brimstone will be selling his signature merchandise like T-shirts ($20-$30), sauces and seasonings ($20), comics ($10) and plushies ($20-$30).

“It’s always good to come home,” Brimstone says. “I love Long Island and I’ll always promote it.”

Go shopping for relics of the past in the Mall Rats Marketplace, where the vendors are vintage focused.

Mr. Cheapo’s of Mineola and Commack will be selling used DVDs ($1-$2), CDs ($2), vinyl ($3) and video games ($1-$8) from the '90s.

“We’ve always done well selling old school records. It’s been our thing,” co-owner Josh Goldberg says. “But we never dreamed we would be carrying everything on vinyl. CD sales are the highest they have been since the '90s.”

The Dreamerie New York is set to have a booth selling painted denim jackets ($45-$75) as well as handmade candles ($10-$75) laced with men’s colognes from the ’90s.

“I have all different kinds like Curve, Joop!, Acqua di Gio, Cool Water and Fahrenheit,” owner Susan DiMaria, of Woodhaven, says. “When you light the candle, it makes the room smell like the cologne.”

Andy’s Thrift Shop offers throwback goodies from the past surrounding sports, music, TV and movies.

“I’m a total '90s kid,” Andrew Cohen, of Roslyn, says. “I’ll have vintage key chains from the '90s, Spice Girls magnets, '90s jewelry, lighters, Funko Pops, Pogs, video games and more.”

For an extra kick, Nostalgia of Bethpage will set up a mobile bar that evokes an old school Blockbuster video store counter.

“The entire bar will be Blockbuster themed with event specific cocktails which you will choose off the VHS wall,” co-owner Tom Angenbroich says. “You’ll take the tape off the wall to place your order. It will be an interactive experience.”

Cocktails ($12) will include "Blue and Yellow Buzz" (vodka based), “Tape Tangler" (gin based), “Clamshell Cool-ada" (rum based), “Membership Marg" (tequila based), “Late Fee Libation" (whiskey based) and “Be Kind, Re-Wine" (wine spritzer based). Visitors can test their '90s knowledge  of pop culture and play Name That Tune for prizes.

Get a snack at All American Wontons, which sells fried wontons with fillings like bacon mac and cheese, Philly cheesesteak, Buffalo chicken, spinach artichoke, brownie madness and banana Nutella in servings of various sizes from $7 to $40.

“They are easy-to-eat, walk-around food,” owner Kelly Kay, of Melville, says. “Three is a snack and having six to nine is more of a meal.”

DJ’s Clam Shack of Stony Brook will have a truck cooking up lobster rolls ($26), crab cakes ($16), salmon burgers $13), lobster empanadas ($9), popcorn shrimp ($12), clam strips ($11) and shrimp scampi roll ($13).

“We only serve local fresh seafood,” owner Paul Riggio says. “Even our popcorn shrimp isn’t frozen. Plus, we make our own salmon burgers and crab cakes.”

Those with a sweet tooth can hit up Scary Good Desserts of East Meadow, which sells treats like mini cakes ($7) with flavors such as strawberry crunch with golden Oreos, Cinnamon Toast Crunch and s’mores; Cookie Dippers aka adult Dunkaroos ($5); jumbo brownies ($6-$7) like peanut butter, brookie fudge brownie and cookies & cream and others.

There will be photo-ops with '90s cartoon characters from “Rugrats,” “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” and “Rocko's Modern Life” as well as in ’90s backdrops like “Saved by the Bell” (outside door of the Max) and “Friends” (Central Perk’s orange couch).

The KidsZone will offer miniature golf, cornhole, life-size Connect Four, life-size chess and face painting.

A fireworks show concludes the festival on Saturday at 9 p.m.

Expect the crowd to go "B-A-N-A-N-A-S!" when Hella Doubt plays...

Expect the crowd to go "B-A-N-A-N-A-S!" when Hella Doubt plays the songs of No Doubt.

4-9 p.m. July 11 and 2-9 p.m. July 12 (rain dates July 18-19); Wilson Park, 211 Westbury Ave., Mineola

Free

 718-869-9501, thenostalgiafest.com

David J. Criblez

David J. Criblez is a reporter for Newsday's exploreLI, covering entertainment-related events from local music to stand-up comedy to festivals.

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