Long Island’s 2013 4th of July Guide: Fireworks, Festivities, Food & More!
By Sandra Stelmach Published: June 20 2013
Long Islanders gather together for some of the largest celebrations in the country. With fast-approaching festivities and fireworks, don’t miss out on the fun – …
The nation’s favorite major summer holiday is just around the corner – that’s right, it’s almost Independence Day! Americans celebrate the Fourth of July in accordance to the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776 in Philadelphia – the former thirteen states declared their freedom from British governance. July 4, 1777, the one year anniversary of our independence, was celebrated with music, ringing bells, bonfires, and fireworks. Ever since, Americans continue the tradition in celebrating their freedom by taking part in some fun and entertaining events in commemoration.
Long Islanders gather together for some of the largest celebrations in the country. These fast-approaching festivities include fairs, carnivals and festivals to concerts and sports games to picnics, cruises, and of course the stars of the day – FIREWORKS! Don’t miss out on the fun – check out what’s happening near you and across Long Island!
Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre
Eisenhower Park, East Meadow 11554
516-572-0200
Saturday, June 29, 2013 – 5:30 pm
Free
Check out some world class fireworks displayed by Grucci and presented by TD Bank. Free tickets at TD Bank stores. Gates open at 5 p.m. Show begins at 5:30 p.m. Fireworks at darkness. Performances by Dean Karahalis and the Concert Pops, followed by Somethin’s Fresh, the best ‘80’s R&B, Dance and Funk Classic band on Long Island.
Moore’s Lane, Greenport, NY 11944
Tuesday, July 2, 2013
Celebrate the holiday at a carnival fundraiser hosted by the Relief Hose Co. & Phenix Hook & Ladder. The carnival will run through July 6th. Fireworks are on July 4th and July 6th at 10 pm. The time of the carnival is to be announced.
Chateau Briand
440 Old Country Road, Carle Place, NY 11514
516-334-6125
Wednesday, July 3, 2013 – 9 pm
Celebrate the Fourth of July early at Body English’s Annual Celebration. Table reservation and bottle services are available. Call early at 516-398-8777.
Umbrella Beach
Old Montauk Highway, Montauk, NY 11954
631-668-2428
Thursday, July 4, 2013 – 9 pm – 9:45 pm
Watch a spectacular show of fireworks in Montauk sponsored by the Montauk Chamber of Commerce. Fireworks can be viewed from any town beach. (Rain date is July 5th).
55 South Bicycle Path, Farmingville, NY 11738
Thursday, July 4, 2013 – 6 pm
Free
Enjoy a tribute to Billy Joel by Mike Del Guidice and Big Shot. Doors open at 6 pm and the concert begins at 7:30 pm. Stick around for amazing Grucci fireworks beginning at 9:30 pm. See event listing for more details.
Captree Park
3500 E. Ocean Parkway, Babylon, NY 11702
631-592-9804
Thursday, July 4, 2013 – 6:30 pm
7 in Heaven Singles presents a boat cruise joy ride aboard Captain Tim’s, Northstar II, on the Great South Bay with lots of fireworks. Light refreshments will be provided such as appetizers, sandwiches, water, soda, and some dessert. Bring your own beer or wine. All ages are welcome. Free membership to sign up for the group. Fees apply for the event – pre-pay now for $48 (bring a friend for a discounted price) or $55 (cash) at the door with RSVP. NY State parking fee of $8. If it rains, participants will be issued a refund. See event listing for details.
Firemen’s Memorial Field
E. Fenimore St and Albermarle Ave, Valley Stream, NY 11580
Thursday, July 4, 2013- 6 pm – 10 pm
The park opens at 6 pm for ticket holders only. The ground show begins at 8 pm. The Fireworks Aerial Display begins at 9:15pm or at coordinator’s discretion. Personal items are subject to search for security purposes. The rain date is July 5th.
333 Bayville Avenue, Bayville on the Sound, New York 11706
516-628-3000
Thursday, July 4, 2013- 6:30 pm
Reserve your table for dinner and fireworks on the beach from the club’s private deck and restaurant.
Finley Middle School and Morgan Memorial Park
City of Glen Cove, 11542
Thursday, July 4, 2013
Spend the morning watching the Annual July 4th Children’s Bicycle Parade from 10 am to 11 am at Finley Middle School. Later in the night, view fireworks at the Morgan Memorial Park at 9 pm.
Bethpage Ballpark
3 Court House Drive, Central Islip, NY 11722
Thursday, July 4, 2013 – 7:05 pm
Watch the Long Island Ducks play against the Somerset Patriots followed by a Grucci fireworks show presented by Atlantic Honda. Purchase tickets online or by calling 631-940-8499. See event listing for more details.
Pettit Ave, Bellmore, NY 11710
Thursday, July 4, 2013 – 8 am
Runners take on the streets of Bellmore to run/walk either a 1-mile course or 4-mile course. The 1- mile run is for runners 12 years of age and under. The 4- mile run is for runners 13 years of age or older. Youth entries are $10 and adult entries are $20 between June 1 and July 3. Entries on race day are $22. Athletes 70 years or older pay nothing. The 1-mile run starts at 8 am. Refreshments will be available before the race, at every mile of the race, and after the race.The race starts at Pettit Avenue and finishes at Grand Ave.
6164 Route 25A, Wading River, NY 11792
631-499-6824
Thursday, July 4, 2013 – 6 pm – 11 pm
Free Admission
Come out with your family and friends to win some prizes, play some games, enjoy festival good, or just go on the rides! Admission is free for the festival. $30 pay-one-price for rides. The festival will go through July 7, 2013. Fireworks on July 5th at 9 pm.
Peconic Riverfront
Riverhead, NY 11901
Thursday, July 4, 2013 – 6:30 pm
Free
Come see 2009 Children’s Grammy nominee, Brady Rymer, rock it out again this year for Independence Day with his Little Band that Could in Riverhead. The evening will be followed by a spectacular fireworks show around nightfall. Make sure to bring your chairs and blanket.
Garvies Point Road & the Harbor, Glen Cove, NY 11542
631-563-8551
Saturday, July 6, 2013 and Sunday, July 7, 2013- 11 am to 9 pm
Free Admission
Spend the weekend at the annual Sea-Faire festival on the waterfront in Glen Cove with games, food, live music, and rides ($30 pay-one-price). The festival will be open from 10 am to 10 pm on Saturday. Grucci fireworks show will be held Saturday at 9 pm.
36 Barkers Island Road, Southampton , NY 11968
631-283-5847
Friday, July 5, 2013 – 7 pm – 10 pm
Admission by Tickets – Starting at $300 for General Admission
Fresh Air Home is a residential camp offering special recreational programs for physically challenged children. The picnic raises over 40% of the Home’s annual program expenses. Enjoy a benefit picnic dinner at the only Fourth of July fireworks family party in Southampton. Grucci presents fireworks over the Shinnecock Bay. Rain date is July 7th. Tickets can be purchased online. See event listing for details.
Old Bethpage Village Restoration
1303 Round Swamp Road, Old Bethpage, NY 11804
516-572-8400
Thursday, July 4, 2013
A re-creation of a Long Island July 4th celebration at the beginning of the Civil War, in honor of the soldier recruits of the New York Volunteers. Festivities will include a National Patriotic Picnic (bring your own picnic lunch), band concerts and fiddle music, children’s games, rifled-musket firings and a patriotic parade and ceremony.
164 Old Montauk Highway, Montauk, NY 11954
631-668-2554
Thursday, July 4, 2013 – 9:30 am
Show off your skills by taking part in this year’s sandcastle contest by using sand, water, and any other natural material native to the beach at Hither Hills State Park. Castles will be made on the spot. Prizes will be given to the best sculptors and castles. The contest will be held every Thursday from June 27 to August 29. Registration is held every Thursday from 9:30 am – 10:30 am at the park’s beach house.
Route 25A and Prime Ave, Huntington, NY 11743
631-271-8423
Thursday, July 4, 2013- 8 pm – 10 pm
The North Shore Pops Concert Band consisting of a talented group of musicians perform tunes from Sousa to Gershwin, and Broadway to American Patriotic anthems at Heckscher Park.
The Fishery Parking Lot
1 Main Street, East Rockaway, NY 11518
Friday, July 5, 2013 through Sunday, July 7, 2013
Free
Spend the 4th of July weekend at the East Rockaway festival with family and friends. On Saturday at 3 pm, The Eliot Lewis Trio will be performing live after an opening by Drive performing an ‘80s music tribute plus a tribute to The Cars. Enjoy some food, games, rides, a petting zoo, and fireworks! Friday: 6 pm to 11 pm Saturday: 12 pm to 11 pm Sunday: 12 pm to 8 pm
Walker Street
516-541-1443
Thursday, July 4, 2013 – 10:30 am
The Chamber would welcome your participation in the 4th of July Parade. Assembly time is 10:30 a.m. The parade will begin at 11:00 a.m. at Walker Street and proceed south on Lake Shore Drive to Park Blvd.
Fourth of July Fireworks: Grangebel Park
Peconic Ave
Riverhead, NY 11901
Thursday, July 4, 2013 – 9 pm
Watch the fireworks light up the skies!
118 East Main Street, Riverhead, NY 11901
631-727-4343
Wednesday, July 3, 2013 – 8 pm
$25 in advance/ $30 at the door
Disco and dance the night away with the Terry Hines Band.
118 East Main Street, Riverhead, NY 11901
631-727-4343
Thursday, July 4, 2013- 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Free
FREEdom Fest featuring fabulous food and a FREE musical performance by the swingin’ GI Jivesters! There’s always something to celebrate at The Suffolk Theater, so bring the whole family and join us for great food, fun and music on July 4th prior to Riverhead’s fireworks display!
Doors open at 6pm, so come early and join us for dinner (dinner cost additional) and order up some all American food and enjoy some great music!
118 East Main Street, Riverhead, NY 11901
631-727-4343
Friday, July 5, 2013 – 8 pm
$25 in advance/ $30 at the door
Experience the best of both American & British Rock. This rock show is a tribute to the music of the great American classic rock artists & bands who came of age particularly in the late 60s & 70’s.
118 East Main Street, Riverhead, NY 11901
631-727-4343
Saturday, July 6, 2013 – 8 pm
$30 in advance/ $35 at the door
Come Join us with our Red White & Swing Summer Saturday Supper Club Series with the Black Tie Affair Orchestra! Join Tom Manuel and the Black Tie Affair Orchestra for their command return performance at the Tom and his 17 piece big band are calling all jitterbuggers to join us for a swingin’ night of big band – USO style! Supper/Show Package $70.00. Dinner Seating at 6:30 pm and 7:00 pm.
Montauk Farmer’s Market
742 Montauk Highway, Montauk, NY 11954
631-668-2428
Thursday July 4, 2013 – 9 am – 2 pm
Stock up on fruits and vegetables for a Fourth of July barbeque at Montauks Farmer’s Market presented by the Montauk Chamber of Commerce. Proceeds will benefit the Montauk Food Pantry.
It is important to have a meeting to review schedule changes for the summer . Kids don’t have school, but they still have busy schedules. There is often even more driving for the au pairs during summer, taking the kids to day camp, sports, and to the beach. Playdates are plentiful and need to be part of everyone’s schedule. Some host parents have more time off in the summer, especially if they are teachers. Make sure you schedule who is in charge, parent or au pair. Keep posting a schedule to define working hours for your au pair.
June is such a busy month for host families and au pairs here in Suffolk County, Long Island. School is still in session, but the kids are busy with lots of fun school activities like field day, school concerts and presentations. Sports are in full swing; lacrosse, Little League, swim team, tennis, horse back riding and so much more keep au pairs and host parents driving kids around and cheering from the sidelines!
On Sunday, June 2nd Au Pairs from 2 Au Pair in America clusters gathered to learn about water and summer safety to enhance their childcare skills for Suffolk County, Long Island host families! They met at Cindy Garruba’s beach house on the Long Island Sound, enjoyed the beach and some mingling before learning important safety tips!
Reminders about using sunscreen always, identifying poison ivy, tick avoidance and treatment needs, and going to a CPR class. APIA offers scholarships for their Au Pairs who attend Red Cross classes! Former life guard and water safety instructor, Senior Community Counselor, Cindy Garruba led the group on basic water safety tips. Most au pairs will spend some time this summer at their host families’ pools or on one of Long Island’s beautiful beaches. Sometimes with the host children and sometimes just with friends. Water safety is essential for everyone!
The au pairs also worked on a Flag Day Contest being sponsored by Au Pair in America’s 
We ended with strawberry shortcake, it is Strawberry Season here on Long Island! 
Rain did not deter Au Pairs from all over NY state from a fun Scavenger Hunt in NYC. Organized by the Community Counselors for Au Pair in America, clusters from Westchester, NYC and Long Island participated in the hunt.
Starting at the main branch of the NYC Library, they finished in Bryant Park! For 3 – 4 hours racing all over NYC, au pairs snapped pictures of themselves with smiling NYC doorman, by Broadway marques, Central Park statues and so much more. 4 teams of 4 each won prizes contributed by the counselors and several more won raffles as well. They all went home with unique pictures of themselves in NYC!
Cindy Garruba, Suffolk County Community Counselor interviews former Au Pair Patty Bak on how her year as an Au Pair in America influenced her view of Americans.