"Sunday Drive" To Lake Ronkonkoma Coming Soon

The Lake Ronkonkoma Heritage Association held its final meeting at the before the First Annual Motor Parkway "Sunday Drive" to Lake Ronkonkoma , which will be on Sunday, August 7 from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The community-oriented , which will celebrate the rich history of Lake Ronkonkoma, is being spearheaded by Heritage Association member, Ellyn Okvist.

Automobiles participating in the parade will be from 1948 or prior; and include cars, trucks, military, motorcycles, fire, police and commercial vehicles.

This year's spotlight will be on the Ronkonkoma Fire Department, and the theme will be the "Roaring Twenties," in honor of the heyday of Lake Ronkonkoma as a tourist attraction.

Attendees are asked to wear period clothing, and patriotic red, white and blue decorations are encouraged.

The parade of vehicles, including several from the Model A Ford Club, will assemble at 9 a.m. in front of the Hyatt Hotel, and will be escorted by the Suffolk County Police 4th Precinct, which will close the roads to traffic.  It will run six miles down Motor Parkway to .

Expect plenty for the whole family to enjoy on this occasion:  Various local organizations will have booths set up to make residents aware of all their town has to offer, the Lake Ronkonkoma Ice Boat and Yacht Club will be bringing ice boats, the American Legion will have a display, a kids' area is going to feature face painting, dress up and photos with fire trucks; in addition, elected officials and other special guests will be on hand, a barbecue will be held courtesy of the Ronkonkoma Fire Department and much more is on the agenda.

Miiko Hernandez, 22, a 2006 Sachem North graduate, is slated to portray Tuscawanta, the of Lake Ronkonkoma.

"I grew up in Ronkonkoma ... I always heard the story. I look forward to bringing it to life," said Hernandez. "Ellyn put a lot of work in. I think it will have a positive impact on the community."

Okvist said that next year they plan to have a much longer parade route for cars, and a date has already been set for August 5, 2012.

Museum curator for the , Dale Spencer, said they will have an information booth at the fair which will include vintage photographs.

"People don't realize what a popular resort it was.  Thousands of people came in the '20s,'30s and '40s.  The lake was kind of like the Hamptons," Spencer said.

He believes this event will help bring back the spirit of that bygone era.

"People are going to be surprised by what a nice neighborly event it will be, not commercial," said Spencer.  "It's about people taking pride in what we think is a really beautiful community."

A nominal entrance fee of $1 per guest will be used to offset the insurance cost required by the Suffolk County Department of Parks.