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With June ending, attitudes could get gloom. The end of one summer month means the beginning of the next, and the closer to fall we get. However, there’s no need for sadness. The end of June also means one of the biggest summer celebrations. The 4th of July! The 4th of July means fireworks, parties, BBQ’s and more. Every year there are multiple celebrations throughout Long Island that you can attend. Generally, these firework shows range throughout the weekend. (The 4th of July is on a Monday this year). Whichever events you choose to attend, we hope you have a wonderful and safe weekend. On Saturday, July 2nd there is a concert and fireworks show at night, taking place in Eisenhower Park. Admission is free but if you choose to sit, you will need to bring your own chairs or blankets. The fireworks are done by Grucci, making it an event you don’t want to miss! Eisenhower Park is located in Uniondale. For more information, please visit Nassau County’s website at www.nassaucountyny.gov. At Dowling College’s Curtin Center in Oakdale, a 5K Firecracker Race/Walk will take place on Saturday, July 2nd. Registration is at 7:30am and the race starts at 9am. Register online at https://www.islandrunning.net//register/?event=4886. Palmer Vineyards in Aquebogue hosts a celebration weekend on Saturday, July 2nd (1-5pm) and Sunday July 3rd (2-6pm). Live music performances take place all weekend outdoors. More information can be obtained by calling this number: (631) 722-9463 or you can visit their site at http://www.palmervineyards.com. Sag Harbor’s Fireworks show will take place on Saturday, July 2nd at 9:30pm. Fireworks will be visible from Marine Park, Haven’s Beach, the Long Whart and restaurants on the waterfront. On Sunday, July 3rd, celebrations take place on the Peconic Riverfront in Riverhead. From 5-9:30pm, families can enjoy Brady Rymer and a Rock & Roll Review. Fireworks show ends the night with a bang. Grucci Fireworks is at it again on Sunday, July 3rd for the North Patchogue Fire Department Carnival. The celebration takes place at Chuck E. Cheese located at 121 North Service Road in Patchogue. Phone number is (631) 654-9374. A free event in celebration of July 4th takes place on Sunday, July 3rd in Westhampton Beach. This event is the 2nd Annual Concert for Steve and John, who are firemen who had shown great dedication for their community. Musical acts such as Troubadour, The Subculture and more perform live while fireworks go off. This event takes place on the Great Lawn which is located at the end of Main Street in Westhampton Beach. The rain date is schedule for Monday, July 4th. Although admission is free, donations are gladly accepted and appreciated. A Chinese Auction will take place at the end of the evening, with its proceeds going to the Wounded Warrior Project. Sunday, July 3rd also marks the Belmont Park Family Fun Day. Activities offered all day at Belmont Park Racetrack. Located at 2150 Hempstead Turnpike in Elmont. More information can be found at www.nyra.com or by calling (718) 641-4700. The Brookhaven Star Spangled Blast takes place on Monday, July 4th. The event features free fireworks by Grucci and a free concert featuring the Long Island Philharmonic. The event is rain or shine. The concert starts at 7:30pm while the fireworks display is scheduled for 9:30pm. Seating is available on a fire come, first served basis. While lawn seating is available, your own chair or blanket will be needed. Parking lot gates will open at 4:30pm and the Amphitheater doors will open at 5:30pm. No outside food or beverages are permitted inside. The address for the Amphitheater is 1 Bicycle Path (off of Country Road 83) in Farmingdale. (631) 732-4011. Also on Monday July, 4th the Go 4th on the Bay event takes place. Grucci fireworks can be seen from over the bay. View them from Fire Island bay fronts and the shoreline of the Great South Bay from Smith Point to Bay Shore. Fireworks can also be viewed from your own boat or the Captree Boat Fleet, according to About.com. The Village of Asharoken will hold its annual fireworks show in the evening of July 4th. Personal fireworks are strictly forbidden and there is no parking on any Village street. The Port Jefferson 4th of July Parade will take place from 10am till noon. No fireworks will take place this year at the parade. The popular event Stars Over Montauk features fireworks by Grucci. Umbrella Beach in Montauk, on Old Montauk Highway is home to this event. Bring your blanket and chair to the display, but get there early in order to save yourself a spot. Rain date is July 5th. Times are available by calling (631) 668-2428. Free day-long events will take place at Sagamore Hill in Oyster Bay on July 4th. Deemed an Old Fashioned Independence Day, you and your family can celebrate from 11am till 4pm. Reenactments of the Spanish American War, President Theodore Roosevelt’s speeches and more are offered at this event. A band is also set to play. For your own comfort, bring blankets and/or chains to sit and relax on the lawn. Staff at Sagamore Hill can be called for more information at (516) 922-4788. More details about specific events throughout the day are available on their website: http://www.nps.gov/sahi/index.htm. After you’ve enjoyed your 4th of July holiday, on Tuesday, July 5th, you can take your kids to a free story time event at Barnes & Noble in Carle Place. Come dressed in red, white and blue and with high spirits! Barnes and Noble is located in Country Glen Center on 91 Old Country Road. Phone number: (516) 741-9850. Keep the celebrations going on the following Friday, July 8th in Long Beach between Long Beach Boulevard and Riverside Boulevard. Enjoy a fireworks show as you sit and enjoy the beginning of the weekend. Because large crowds are expected, the city of Long Beach will be supplying shuttle buses free of charge. Outside fireworks are absolutely not permitted. More information can be obtained by visiting the Long Beach website at www.longbeachny.org, or calling (516) 431-1000, extension 7105 between 9am-4pm. And finally to round out your Independence Day week of excitement on Long Island, on Saturday, July 9th fireworks will be lighting up the sky on Crescent Beach, Shelter Island. Fireworks start at 9pm. More information can be found at http://www.shelterislandchamber.org/fireworks.html. For those of you planning on going to New York City for the 4th of July, Macy’s will be hosting their fireworks show at about 9pm, where fireworks will be released from six barges in the Hudson River. This year marks the 125th anniversary of the Statue of Liberty, and the 235th birthday of the United States. This year’s theme is The Gift of Freedom. Music will be played as the fireworks display occurs. If you have to miss this event, NBC will be broadcasting the fireworks live at 9pm. The radio station 1010 WINS will also be broadcasting the event. If you are elsewhere in the city and have a clear view of the sky, you may be able to view the fireworks as well. Circle Line and World Yacht welcomes you to join their private Pier Party! The pier offers great views for the Macy’s fireworks show. Opening at 8pm, music, food, beer and more is served as you as you celebrate Independence Day. For more information call (212) 563-3200 or email them at info@circleline42.com Circle Line also has a Zephyr Cruise on the 4th of July which allows you to see the fireworks from Macy’s. While onboard, enjoy live entertainment, cash bars, buffet spreads, and entertainment for 5 hours. There is limited seating, making it a first come first served basis. You must be 21 years of age or older, with a valid ID. Tickets cost $29. Manhattan by Sail is offering a sail which is fully catered and has a champagne open bar. This ride will give you a front row view of the New York Harbor fireworks. The ride is approximately 5 hours and an adult ticket is $450. A similar sail is offered on the Clipper City, priced at $350 for adults. For more information about the sails and menu offerings, please call (212) 619-0907. Classic Harbor Line offers class style yacht rides in order to celebrate Independence Day. Each boat will sail out to New York Harbor and will give you a perfect view of the fireworks as well as other boats filled with people enjoying the day. You can choose to board the Schooner Adirondack. An open bar with beer, soda, wine and champagne is offered and guests are allowed to bring their own food and snacks. You may choose to ride aboard the Yacht Manhattan, a 1920’s style luxury yacht. You will get spectacular views of the Statue of Liberty and the NYC skyline as you enjoy an open bar and four courses of hors d’oeuvres and desserts. Choose Yacht Catskill and Beacon, a more intimate ride. With room for only 35 guests, these mini yachts are family friendly, comfortable and designed for a good time. Enjoy the fireworks from this yacht as well. For any questions, call (646) 336-5270. A 4th of July cruise is also offered on American Princess. This 250 passenger cruise allows you to view the fireworks while onboard. Tickets are $100 each and they include a boxed dinner and souvenir. Cash bar is available on board. Cruise will depart from South Street Seaport at 5:30pm and will return by 10:30pm. For more information, call (718) 474-0555 or visit their website at http://www.americanprincesscruises.com/4thofJuly.htm. We suggest that you listen to “Firework” by Katy Perry on your drive to all these events. Enjoy!