Farmingdale Outdoor Dining Is On, Music On Main Uncertain: Mayor

FARMINGDALE, NY — Outdoor dining in Farmingdale Village will not be going anywhere this summer. Eating outside became popular — and necessary for the survival of small businesses — in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic.

"The future of outdoor dining is great!" Mayor Ralph Ekstrand told Patch.

The only potential changes would be based on New York state guidelines.

"We will continue and follow all guidelines as they develop," Ekstrand said. "If the distance between tables is modified, we will follow suit."

Music on Main Street is still up in the air, however. The outdoor dining and musical fun festivals, which run in the summer akin to a big block party, are still on hold due to the pandemic, Ekstrand said. The four events, planned to run on certain Thursdays in Farmingdale, will be evaluated in the context of what the CDC, New York and Nassau County guidelines are at the time, according to the mayor.

"Public Health is of primary concern since those gatherings have thousands of people in close proximity," Ekstrand said.