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This is a view of the 2021 Great Jack O'Lantern Blaze at Old Bethpage Village Restoration in Old Bethpage, N.Y. on September 21, 2021.
This is a view of the 2021 Great Jack O'Lantern Blaze at Old Bethpage Village Restoration in Old Bethpage, N.Y. on September 21, 2021.
This is a view of the 2021 Great Jack O'Lantern Blaze at Old Bethpage Village Restoration in Old Bethpage, N.Y. on September 21, 2021.
This is a view of the 2021 Great Jack O'Lantern Blaze at Old Bethpage Village Restoration in Old Bethpage, N.Y. on September 21, 2021.
This is a view of the 2022 Great Jack O'Lantern Blaze at Old Bethpage Village Restoration in Old Bethpage, N.Y. on September 29, 2022.
This is a view of the 2022 Great Jack O'Lantern Blaze at Old Bethpage Village Restoration in Old Bethpage, N.Y. on September 29, 2022.
This is a view of the 2022 Great Jack O'Lantern Blaze at Old Bethpage Village Restoration in Old Bethpage, N.Y. on September 29, 2022.
This is a view of the 2022 Great Jack O'Lantern Blaze at Old Bethpage Village Restoration in Old Bethpage, N.Y. on September 29, 2022.
This is a view of the 2023 Great Jack O'Lantern Blaze at Old Bethpage Village Restoration in Old Bethpage, N.Y. on September 21, 2023.
This is a view of the 2023 Great Jack O'Lantern Blaze at Old Bethpage Village Restoration in Old Bethpage, N.Y. on September 21, 2023.
This is a view of the 2023 Great Jack O'Lantern Blaze at Old Bethpage Village Restoration in Old Bethpage, N.Y. on September 21, 2023.
This is a view of the 2020 The Great Jack O'Lantern Blaze at Old Bethpage Village Restoration in Old Bethpage, NY on October 1, 2020.
This is a view of the 2020 The Great Jack O'Lantern Blaze at Old Bethpage Village Restoration in Old Bethpage, NY on October 1, 2020.
This is a view of the 2020 The Great Jack O'Lantern Blaze at Old Bethpage Village Restoration in Old Bethpage, NY on October 1, 2020.
This is a view of the 2020 The Great Jack O'Lantern Blaze at Old Bethpage Village Restoration in Old Bethpage, NY on October 1, 2020.
This is a view of the 2020 The Great Jack O'Lantern Blaze at Old Bethpage Village Restoration in Old Bethpage, NY on October 1, 2020.
This is a view of the 2020 The Great Jack O'Lantern Blaze at Old Bethpage Village Restoration in Old Bethpage, NY on October 1, 2020.

Marking five years as one of Long Island’s biggest and brightest family-friendly Halloween event, The Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze is making a return to Old Bethpage Village Restoration, Long Island’s historic 19th-century village, to treat guests of all ages to the most magical Halloween experience yet. 

Presented by Catholic Health, Blaze: Long Island will wow visitors with new sites along the pumpkin trail including a Day of the Dead jack o’lantern tribute, a working Ferris wheel that takes Pumpkin Pals for a twirl, and an elaborate Celebration Arch, which is not only a tribute to Blaze: Long Island’s anniversary, but is the perfect backdrop for celebrating special visitor occasions. 

This remarkable artistic production, masterminded by Historic Hudson Valley and its renowned creative director Michael Natiello—featured on HGTV, The Today Show, and other national broadcasts—celebrates Long Island’s rich heritage through an impressive display of illuminated jack o’lanterns and intricate pumpkin sculptures. 

With over 7,000 jack o’lanterns carved by local artisans, the larger-than-life themed exhibits span a half-mile loop, enhanced with synchronized lighting and an original soundtrack, offering an immersive experience for all visitors.

This year visitors can look forward to:

Long Island Hall of Fame — Celebrate local Long Island icons with intricate pumpkin sculptures of Billy Joel, Joan Jett, Sue Bird, Dr. J, and making their debut this fall, Jerry Seinfeld and Natalie Portman.

Pumpkin Lighthouse — a replica of the Montauk Point Lighthouse featuring a blazing beacon of illuminated pumpkins.

Tribute to First Responders — An awe-inspiring display featuring carved jack o’lanterns depicting a firefighter heroically putting out a flame, honoring the bravery and dedication of our local heroes.

Lady Liberty — A glowing rendition of the Statue of Liberty that features 114 individually carved pumpkins, complete with torch ablaze—an iconic symbol of freedom, inspiration, and hope.

The Pumpkin Circus — A jack o’lantern carnival will come to life with acrobats, clowns, and a sideshow featuring a contortionist, strong man, Montauk mermaid, sword swallower, and a snake charmer. 

Custom Pumpkin Orders — New for 2024 guests can surprise a special someone with a custom-carved pumpkin displayed at the new Celebration Arch. Reservations are limited and must be made seven days in advance.

This year also includes live, nightly pumpkin carving by Blaze’s expert team of pumpkin carving artisans, the Blaze Boo-tique featuring seasonal gifts and fun merchandise, and Café Blaze, an on-site café featuring fall treats like cider donuts and pumpkin beer.

 Historic Hudson Valley, which develops and produces the event in partnership with Nassau County, is a not-for-profit education organization that owns and operates National Historic Landmarks in New York’s Sleepy Hollow region. Proceeds from ticket purchases support the preservation of Old Bethpage Village Restoration and the educational programming of Historic Hudson Valley. 

The Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze runs from Friday, October 4 through Sunday, November 3, with adult tickets starting at $32. In honor of its fifth anniversary, Blaze: Long Island is offering a flat rate admission of $10 for children ages 3-17, while the littlest guests, ages 2 and under, are free. With limited capacity, entry is available only through advance online purchase of timed tickets or FLEX anytime tickets; no tickets are sold at the venue. The event takes place rain or shine. For tickets and event dates, visit www.pumpkinblaze.org.

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The Brookhaven Country Fair returns Sept. 21 and 22. Photo from TOB

New for 2024… Medieval Gathering, Demonstrations, Re-enactments and more!

Mark your calendars! The Town of Brookhaven’s Country Fair returns to the historic Longwood Estate located on Longwood Road and Smith Road in Ridge on Sept. 21 and 22 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Enjoy traditional crafts, vendors, colonial cooking, Revolutionary War and Civil War re-enactments, music by the Ed Travers Band, a medieval gathering, vintage apron show, house museum tours, and children’s activities.

Admission is $5 per person. Children under 12 are free and will receive a “Passport to the Past.” Parking is free with a complimentary shuttle from the Longwood Junior High School. Leashed and well-behaved pets are welcomed. Longwood Estate is located at the corner of Longwood Road and Smith Road in Ridge. Held rain or shine. For more information, call 631-924-1820.

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The Longwood Estate was passed down through the generations dating back prior to 1817.  In 1973, developer Wilbur Breslin and Herbert Carmel purchased the property for commercial and industrial development. Brookhaven Town officials and area residents strongly opposed the plan and in 1974, Breslin and Carmel donated the manor house and 35 acres of land to the Town of Brookhaven. During its two-hundred-year history, the house knew fallow periods and a notable 60-year Golden Age of love, family, and bustling activity. The estate now is the host to various activities for the residents to enjoy. For more information about the Longwood Estate, visit www.brookhavenny.gov. 

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Pete Caldera

The Jazz Loft, located along the charming Stony Brook waterfront and nearby historic village, presents the 9th annual Harbor Jazz Festival from Sept. 18 to 21. The four celebratory days of Jazz will feature  internationally-known acts, including vocalist Pete Caldera and the Sinatra Project Sextet; the Ray Anderson Group; Akiko Tsuruga Organ Quartet; Carlos Jimenez Mambo Dulcet; Bill Crow Trio and Mala Waldron Quartet along with a parade with the Equity Brass band through Stony Brook Village. 

“The year’s 9th Annual Harbor Jazz Festival line-up promises to deliver an extraordinary experience and unique opportunity to hear performances from some of the finest Jazz artists in the world,” said Tom Manuel, founder and president of The Jazz Loft.  “Many of the acts booked for this year’s festival perform at some of New York’s top venues and clubs. It’s amazing for our Long Island community that this years’ festival brings them all right here in our own backyard.” 

Much of the festival will take place outdoors on two stages overlooking Stony Brook Harbor, as well inside The Jazz Loft at 275 Christian Avenue in Stony Brook.

This year’s outdoor concerts on September 21 will take place throughout the day on two stages: one on the Jazz Loft’s front lawn, and the second location across the street on the Stony Brook Village Green. All concerts on Saturday are free to the public. Just bring a lawn chair or blanket. Shows for Sept. 18 through Sept. 20 are ticketed events.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

The Jazz Loft

Sept. 18  at 7 p.m. — Opening reception & jam session with the Keenan Zach Trio. All tickets are $10.

Sept. 19 at 7 p.m. — The Bad Little Big Band, featuring guest artist trumpeter Joe Magnarelli. Tickets are $30 adults, $25 seniors, $20 students, $15 children ages 5 and up.

Sept. 20 at 7 p.m. — The Sinatra Project with vocalist Pete Caldera backed by The Sinatra Sextet. Tickets are $40.

Sept. 21 from noon to 8 p.m.  

Village Green Stage

Traditional Jazz Parade with Equity Brass Band at noon; Ray Anderson Group at 1 p.m.; Akiko Tsuruga Organ Quartet  at 4 p.m.; and Carlos Jimenez Mambo Dulcet at 7 p.m. Free.

Jazz Loft Lawn Stage

Bill Crow Trio at 3 p.m.; Mala Waldron Quartet at 6 p.m. Free.

In the case of rain, all events will be held inside The Jazz Loft.

For more information, call 631-751-1895 or visit www.thejazzloft.org.

This article originally appeared in TBR News Media’s Harvest Times supplement on Sept. 12. 

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Children pose for photo-ops at Harbor Day. Photo by Rita J. Egan
State Assemblyman Mike Fitzpatrick (R-St. James) with the Sons of Norway. Photo by Rita J. Egan
The Algo-Rhythms performed during Harbor Day. Photo by Rita J. Egan
The event featured a touch tank. Photo by Rita J. Egan
Head of the Harbor Mayor Michael Utevsky stands with enviornmentalist John Turner, who is awarded the Dr. Larry Swanson Environmental Award. Photo by Rita J. Egan
Peter Scully, former Suffolk County deputy executive, accepts The Friends of Stony Brook Harbor Lifetime Achievement Award. Photo by Rita J. Egan
Peter Scully, former Suffolk County deputy executive, accepts The Friends of Stony Brook Harbor Lifetime Achievement Award. Photo by Rita J. Egan
Children admire a screech owl at the Sweetbriar Nature Center booth. Photo by Rita J. Egan
Mayor Richard Smith speaks at Harbor Day. Photo by Rita J. Egan
Village of Head of the Harbor Deputy Mayor Lisa Davisdon greets Suffolk County Legislator Steve Englebright as Head of the Harbor Mayor Michael Utevsky looks on. Photo by Rita J. Egan
A girl gets her face painted at Harbor Day. Photo by Rita J. Egan

By Rita J. Egan

Hundreds visited Long Beach in Nissequogue on Saturday, Sept. 7, to satisfy their curiosity about Stony Brook Harbor and the waterway’s inhabitants.

The villages of Head of the Harbor and Nissequogue, along with The Friends of Stony Brook Harbor, partnered to host Harbor Day at the Long Beach boat launch with Stony Brook Harbor as its background. Last year, the event returned after a 15-year hiatus.

Nissequogue Mayor Richard Smith presented Peter Scully, Suffolk’s former deputy county executive, with The Friends of Stony Brook Harbor Lifetime Achievement Award. “There is no better candidate,” Smith said.

The mayor congratulated Scully, who resides in Stony Brook and grew up in St. James, on his longtime commitment to improving the health of local waterways, including his work with nitrogen remediation during his tenure with the county.

Upon accepting the award, Scully, dubbed Suffolk’s “water czar” when he was deputy county executive, said he didn’t consider himself a water champion but someone who had been in the right place at the right time on many occasions “working with a lot of outstanding elected officials.”

Environmentalist John Turner, of Setauket and the Four Harbors Audubon Society, accepted the Dr. Larry Swanson Environmental Award from Head of the Harbor Mayor Michael Utvesky. 

“Name any endangered part of nature on Long Island, and John L. Turner will be there to help preserve it,” Utevsky said.

Turner said he was honored to accept the same recognition as the 2023 recipient, Suffolk County Legislator Steven Englebright (D-Setauket), and the award that bears Swanson’s name.

“I knew Larry and had a great deal of respect for him,” Turner said. 

In addition to the awards ceremony, attendees enjoyed various activities including live music, a talk by historian Vivian Nicholson-Mueller about harbor life in the 1860s and a dunk tank. Representatives from Four Harbors Audubon Society, Sweetbriar Nature Center, Turtle Rescue of the Hamptons and more were on hand with educational activities and to answer questions about Stony Brook Harbor and its aquatic animals.

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Lightning Warriors Facebook

Lightning Warriors, a not-for-profit youth triathlon team, will be hosting its 5th annual Mini Maniac Youth Triathlon on Sunday, September 15 at 6:30 a.m. at Smith Point Beach in Shirley.

This year’s Mini Maniac event will be geared toward triathletes of all levels between the ages of 7 and 17. While all racers will be participating in a youth triathlon, races will be divided into three separate age groups with swimming, biking and running distances varying accordingly. Younger athletes are also encouraged to register to participate in the Splash & Dash event, which is a 50-meter swim and a quarter-mile run for athletes between the ages of 5 and 7.

“I am excited to see the smiles and accomplishments as each athlete crosses the finish line and for those first-timers being called a triathlete,” says Lightning Warriors Head Coach Noah Lam.

Favor bags will also be distributed to each racer, as well as medals for all finishers, awards for the top male and female finishers and post-race refreshments.

Participating in youth triathlons helps build positive physical activity habits in children. According to Lam, “Every child should be able to swim, bike and run as those are lifetime skills… We’ve also seen that physical activity can provide immense benefits for mental health, more self-esteem, a sharper focus on achieving goals and a better ability to connect with other kids.”

Athletes’ individual skills will also be enhanced by being a part of a team in a healthy competitive and supportive space. “You get to find new ways to overcome adversity in a safe environment,” Lam states. “These skills will thus motivate them to exude confidence and conquer their goals, both inside and outside of racing.”

The Mini Maniac event is the largest sanctioned kids triathlon on Long Island with 168 participants in 2023, and an expected attendance of 200 racers this year, including 100 first-time registrants. To register for Mini Maniac, visit www.runsignup.com/minimaniac. Registration ends on September 14, 2024 at 1 p.m.  EDT.

About Lightning Warriors

Lightning Warriors is a Long Island-based not-for-profit triathlon team focused on making the sport of triathlon available to all young athletes. Lightning Warriors’ goal is to unlock each member’s potential as athletes and as leaders, encouraging athletes to excel in all levels of life. For more information, visit www.lightningwarriors.org.

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Image courtesy of TVHS

Three Village Historical Society continues its lecture series at the Setauket Neighborhood House, 95 Main St., Setauket with a presentation titled Freedomland U.S.A.: The Definitive History​ with speaker Mike Virgintino on Monday, Sept. 16 at 7 p.m.

Located in New York City, Freedomland U.S.A. was celebrated as the “Disneyland of the East.” While it survived only five seasons (1960-1964), to this day the park generates fond memories among baby boomers who enjoyed its American history-themed attractions.

Freedomland was conceived and built by C.V. Wood and his Marco Engineering Company. Known to many as Woody, he was Disneyland’s first employee and he brought Walt Disney’s imagination to life by leading the team that built that park. He then created Marco Engineering to build theme parks and other venues across the country. Six Flags Over Texas in Arlington and the community of Lake Havasu, Arizona, continue to prosper. The northeast Bronx marshland that featured Freedomland U.S.A. eventually became a housing development and a shopping center.

Unknown to Woody and the general public that adored Freedomland during the early 1960s, landowner William Zeckendorf, Sr., local politicians, city planners and construction unions considered the park a “placeholder” until property variances permitted significant development on the marshland. The variances provided the green light for the construction of the largest cooperative housing community in the world. A shopping center was added about a decade later and an indoor mall was constructed on the remaining undeveloped land during 2012.

“Co-op City was on New York City’s blueprints before the first shovel of dirt was turned to build the park,” said Virgintino. “Freedomland U.S.A. was doomed to fail before the first guest entered the park. As everyone was hailing this great achievement in The Bronx on its opening day, Woody already was concentrating on his Texas park and other projects. Other people, including William Zeckendorf, Sr., operated Freedomland U.S.A. and they kept it afloat, or ran it into the ground, depending on one’s perspective. The park survived until the land variances could be applied to the property. Then, Freedomland U.S.A. was declared a bankrupt and the
land was cleared for development.”

The lecture is free to the public, pre-registration encouraged by visiting www.tvhs.org. For more information, call 631-751-3730.

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Secrets of Stony Brook Village Walking Tour. Photo courtesy of WMHO
Discover the hidden gems of Stony Brook Village!
The Ward Melville Heritage Organization (WMHO) has announced the return of its Secrets of Stony Brook Village walking tours on Friday, Sept. 20.
Enjoy a leisurely stroll through beautiful Stony Brook Village while hearing the quirky, real stories of the people who lived here and the landmarks that make it unique. Guests will explore the rich history of: The Melvilles, Alida Chanler Emmet, Jonas Smith, The Stony Brook Post Office, The Jazz Loft, The Three Village Inn, The Hercules Pavilion, Stony Brook Main Street and Market Square, All Souls Church, The Stony Brook Grist Mill, and The Mill Pond.
Two sessions will take place on September 20, one at 10:50 a.m. and the other at 3:50 p.m. Fee is $12 per person. Reservations are required.
To reserve your spot on the tour and to learn more about the WMHO, call 631- 751-2244.

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Scene from the Port Jefferson Yacht Club’s Village Cup Regatta. Photos coutesy Port Jefferson Yacht Club
Scene from the Port Jefferson Yacht Club’s Village Cup Regatta. Photos coutesy Port Jefferson Yacht Club
Scene from the Port Jefferson Yacht Club’s Village Cup Regatta. Photos coutesy Port Jefferson Yacht Club
Scene from the Port Jefferson Yacht Club’s Village Cup Regatta. Photos coutesy Port Jefferson Yacht Club

By Ava Himmelsbach

This past Saturday, Sept. 7, the Port Jefferson Yacht Club and Village of Port Jefferson held their annual Village Cup Regatta to raise money and awareness for Mather’s Palliative Medicine Program and the Lustgarten Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research. Anyone interested was allowed to be a crew member on the sailboats, with no experience required.

The event included multiple activities throughout the day, with two main parts: a parade followed by a race. The parade ran from the outer harbor on the west across to the waterfront on the east. In the race, participants from the Village of Port Jefferson and Mather Hospital competed as part of the Village Cup Charity Fundraiser.

The parade allowed teams to circle the port on their boats, all of which were decorated with flags and banners, and wave to the large crowd of guests as a prelude to the race. Families gathered on the docks to view the parade, which was managed by Port Jefferson Yacht Club staff and accompanied by bagpiper Marty Sexton. The parade lasted about 45 minutes and helped the sailors adjust to sporadic wind patterns throughout the day.

Despite overcast weather and sudden rain, sailors and guests had a great time, creating memories of a lasting tradition likely to continue in years to come. Rain began shortly after the parade and continued lightly for a couple of hours. Fortunately, the showers did not interfere with the race, and sailors proceeded as planned.

Port Jefferson Yacht Club Village Cup Regatta Committee member Dianna Stackow managed the setup process for the post-race gathering. “We are here to set up for the party that happens after the race,” she said. “They have speeches, raffles, food, wine, beer; Ralph Macchio will be here, and some government representation.” The party began around 3:30 p.m., welcoming guests and participants as they finished the race and celebrated another year of the tradition. “This is our 15th year, and we are going to break $1 million [in donations]. We’re very proud because we’re such a small club, so it’s such a large thing for us to do. It’s just such a good feeling, all around, everyone, our little club, you know, close together, and it’s nice to see what we accomplish.”

After an exhilarating race, participants, families, and guests gathered at a party in the Port Jefferson Village Center to celebrate their efforts and the successful fundraising brought by this year’s regatta. Celebrity ambassador Ralph Macchio has supported the regatta — along with the two programs funded by it — for the last 10 years. He was present at the event this weekend, along with many returnees who have helped uphold this tradition for the past decade and a half.

The friendly competition ended with the Village of Port Jefferson team winning.

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Photo from Stony Brook University

Stony Brook Cancer Center’s CancerWise Café returns to SBU’s Charles B. Wang Center, 100 Nicolls Road, Stony Brook on Saturday, Sept. 28 from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Cancer Center experts will discuss the latest advances in screening, prevention, diagnosis, management and treatment of several types of cancer, along with educational displays, community organization resource tables and lunch.

The event including lunch is free but registration is required by Sept. 22. To RSVP, visit stonybrook.info/cafe2024 or click here.

 

 

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The Wading River Shoreham Chamber of Commerce has announced that it will host an inaugural Fall Festival on Sunday, September 29, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at The Shoppes at East Wind, 5768 Route 25, Wading River. This highly anticipated event, sponsored by East Wind, promises a day full of family-friendly fun and local celebration, rain or shine.

Set against the picturesque backdrop of The Shoppes at East Wind, this exciting festival will feature a variety of activities for all ages. Attendees can groove to the lively tunes of SouthBound, a popular local country band, and join in energetic line dancing sessions. For those with an appetite, a selection of mouth-watering food trucks will be on hand, offering a variety of delicious options to satisfy any craving.

Shoppers can explore a diverse array of vendors showcasing distinctive products, from handcrafted goods to artisanal treats. Kids will have a blast bouncing around in the bounce house, ride the carousel ($) and engaging in a range of interactive crafts and activities designed to spark creativity and fun.

“This Fall Festival is a wonderful opportunity for the community to come together and celebrate the season,” said Phil King, a representative of the Wading River Shoreham Chamber of Commerce. “We’re excited to offer a day packed with entertainment, delicious food, and opportunities to support local businesses. It’s going to be a memorable event for families and friends alike.”

Event Details:

  • Date: Sunday, September 29th, 2024
  • Time: 11 AM – 5 PM (Rain or Shine)
  • Location: The Shoppes at East Wind, 5768 Route 25A, Wading River, NY
  • Admission: Free

Whether you’re looking to relax, have fun, or support local vendors, the Fall Festival has something for everyone. Mark your calendars and join them for a day of community spirit and celebration!

For more information, visit https://www.wadingrivershorehamchamber.com/

About the Wading River Shoreham Chamber of Commerce:
The Wading River Shoreham Chamber of Commerce is dedicated to fostering a vibrant business community and enhancing the cultural well-being of our communities. Through events, advocacy, and community engagement, the Chamber works to support local businesses and enrich the local experience.

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