Greater Bay Shore coverage is funded in part by Shoregate, now leasing brand-new premium apartment homes in the heart of Bay Shore. Click here to schedule a tour.
The producers of Long Island FunFest got a glimpse of the Wall of Death at last year’s massive Altamont Fair upstate, and knew right away they wanted to bring the motorcycle stunt show home to Long Island.
And they pulled it off. The old-school carnival attraction that was once an American midway mainstay will be a main attraction at this year’s Long Island FunFest at the Suffolk County Community College Brentwood campus.
The stunt show, which leaves an impression on anyone who sees it, features a 30-foot-diameter wooden cylindrical structure inside which daredevil bikers perform trick, fancy and acrobatic riding along a 14-foot-tall wall.
“It’s thrilling, it’s nostalgic, and it’s a rarity in this day and age. Our FunFest guests are in for a real treat,” said Bob DeStefano, who along with wife Kathy own Dreamland Amusements, which produces the annual Long Island FunFest.
This year the event will run from June 13 to June 23.
“When I saw the [Wall of Death] show, I knew I had to bring it to Long Island,” DeStefano said.
The show is presented by the American Motor Drome Company, one of only three traveling attractions keeping this bit of history alive by performing the show as it would have been 100 years ago. It features antique Indian and Harley-Davidson motorcycles along with hand-built 4-wheeled racing machines.
“Nothing compares to seeing the show in person at the top of the 14-foot board wall, where you can smell the rubber burn and feel the wind as the motorcycles race just inches from you,” reads the American Motor Drome website.
It will be running throughout the duration of the festival.
If you go
Photos courtesy of American Motor Drome Company.
The Wall of Death isn’t the only treat in store at FunFest, the producers promise.
The 10-day event will also feature midway rides and games for all ages, plenty of carnival eats, and a variety of family entertainment that’s free with fair admission: spectacular Saturday night Fireworks by Grucci; Pirates of the Colombian Caribbean thrill show; the Anastasini Circus; concerts by FREEBIRD (Lynyrd Skynyrd tribute), Milagro (Santana tribute), The Mondays and others; an educational petting zoo; Kidbucks Game Show; Cowtown USA interactive exhibit; and the Big Bee Transforming Robot Car.
Admission is $5 (free for kids under 36-inches tall). Parking is free. Visit the website for Thursday Carload Nights ($60/car for admission & unlimited rides) and advance savings on rides.
FunFest hours are 5 to 11 p.m. weekdays and 3 to 11 p.m. on Saturdays Sundays. No unaccompanied guests under age 21.
More information: 866-666-3247 or LongIslandFunFest.com.
