Love Lane was packed with visitors Saturday for the annual Mattituck Chamber of Commerce street fair — and the crowning of Little Miss and Mr. Mattituck.
The contest featured 18 little girls and 11 boys, each more adorable than the next. This year’s winners were Katherine Meringer, 6, of Cutchogue, and Liam Springer, 6, of Mattituck.
Last year’s winners Julie Bodenstein and Ryan Harned, both of Cutchogue, were onhand to pass on the proverbial torch.
Katherine said when she grows up, she wants to be a space explorer; her favorite animal, she said, is an orca. When asked why by emcee Donielle Cardinale, vice president of the Mattituck Chamber, she said, matter-of-factly, “I can speak whale.”
Liam said he wants to be a police officer and serve on the SWAT team when he grows up and said favorite animal is the octopus, because it has eight arms.
Reflecting on a year spent as Little Mr. Mattituck, Ryan said, “The parades, actually. All my friends were there, and all the grown up people were there. They thought I was a big star.”
Cardinale said he and Julie had ridden in many parades, some even held in snow and rain.
Each child answered questions about what they wanted to do when they grow up, and answered ranged from veterinarians, actors, screenwriters, farmers, to joining the Armed Forces. One little boy said he wants to be an astronaut, “because I want to touch a star.”
Almost every child agreed their favorite parts of summer include swimming at the beach and in pools.
Each contestant received a bag of prizes, including gift certificates from local merchants, and other treats.
Cardinale of the Mattituck Chamber said judging the contest is difficult, because it’s hard to choose winners.
This year’s newly crowned Strawberry Queen, Caroline Kiel of Mattituck, was onhand to help the winners.
The yearly Mattituck Chamber of Commerce street festival helps to raise funds for scholarships, Christmas trees each year in Mattituck, flower boxes on Love Lane, and other projects.
