This year's edition of the "Test of the Champion" may be an historic one as Big Brown comes to town Saturday, June 7 in an attempt to become thoroughbred racing's 12th Triple Crown winner when he goes to post in the Grade 1, $1 million Belmont Stakes.

The annual Belmont Festival in Garden City will be held Friday, June 6, the eve of the Belmont Stakes. Sponsored by KeySpan and The Garden City Hotel, the perennially popular Garden City parade will take place Friday, June 6.

The pre-parade activities will get underway at 6 p.m. with a street festival on 7th Street between Franklin and Hilton Avenues. All merchants on 7th Street are encouraged to enter a window-decorating contest to show their support and enthusiasm for the Belmont Festival and the Belmont Stakes. Prizes will be awarded to the most creative shopkeepers.

The parade itself will begin at 7 p.m. at 9th Street and Franklin Avenue, then wind its way south toward 7th Street onto Hilton Avenue and conclude at the Village Gazebo.

The parade and festivities include a number of exciting events and activities, including a performance by The Islip Horsemen's Association Long Island Drill Team. A Long Island mainstay for over 30 years, the drill team will step-up the celebration as its skilled riders and horses offer a lively performance.

The parade will also include the family of trainer Kiaran McLaughlin, who captured the 2006 Belmont Stakes with Jazil and the 2006 Breeders' Cup Classic with Horse of the Year Invasor; and the family of trainer Todd Pletcher, who captured the 2007 Belmont Stakes with Rags to Riches and has won the Eclipse Award for leading trainer the past four years. Both families will be escorted in cars courtesy of Garden City Saab.

The festival will also feature a children's poster contest, sponsored by Sunflower Fine Art & Framing. The poster design challenge will invite kids in grades K-eighth to create their best interpretation of thoroughbred racing on 16" x 20" white poster paper. All submitted artwork will be on display in shop windows along the parade route on 7th and Franklin Street. Poster designs will be accepted at Sunflower Art & Frame until Friday, May 30. Cash prizes will be awarded. The first, second and third place winners of the contest will be announced at the Belmont Festival and will be invited to walk in the parade on Friday evening.

The Garden City street festival will also include giant inflatables courtesy of Coca-Cola, giveaways courtesy of the New York Lottery, live music, clowns, street performers and a "Taste of Garden City" with local restaurateurs and food vendors lining the avenue.

For information about the Belmont Festival at Garden City, contact Mary Grippo at 571-1936 or at mgrippo@nassauida.org.

The Belmont Stakes Festival will extend to Belmont Park June 7 for the 140th running of the Belmont Stakes. Adults can participate in backyard games such as boxing, speed pitch, jousting and even a chance to drop someone in the dunk tank. Kids will have their own Fun Zone, featuring face painters, carnival games, craft booths and mini golf. All events will run from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Music will also be a big part of Belmont Stakes Day, with the Movin' Out Band, from the Broadway musical, playing in the concert area from 10 a.m. to noon. Rockjunky follows with its performance from noon to 6 p.m.

First race post on Belmont Stakes Day, Saturday, June 7, is noon. ESPN will provide live coverage of the earlier races on the day's 13-race live card from noon to 5 p.m. ABC will then pick up the coverage from 5 to 7 p.m. Belmont Park will offer a $1 million-guaranteed Pick 6 on races 6-11 and a $1 million-guaranteed Pick 4 on races 8-12.

Gates will open at 8:30 a.m. on Belmont Stakes Day. General Admission is $10; Clubhouse is $20 and children under 12 are free when accompanied by an adult. General parking is $10, preferred is $25. There is no valet parking on Belmont Stakes Day. For more information about The Belmont Stakes, visit www.nyra.com.