May 21 Waterfront festival highLights event-packed week
Boating safety at the start of the boating season is the theme of the fifth annual Safe Boating Week May 20-26, jointly sponsored by the Town of Huntington and the Greater Huntington Council of Yacht and Boating Clubs.
The Safe Boating Week Waterfront Festival—the biggest ever--is on Sunday, May 21, from 10 a.m. through 5 p.m. at the Mill Dam Ball Field in Halesite. This year’s Festival features six bands performing on the Town of Huntington’s Showmoble Stage, along with a variety of delicious food, Oyster Bay Brewing Company craft beers and for the first time, wines from the Martha Clara Vineyard in Riverhead. The Festival includes participation by boat dealers, displays by marine equipment vendors, fishing gear, nautical home décor, antiques, and the works of local artists and craftsmen. There will be fun attractions and amusements for children.
Huntington Supervisor Frank P. Petrone said, “The Town of Huntington is pleased to be partnering with the Greater Huntington Council of Yacht and Boating Clubs for the fifth consecutive year in the range of activities that highlight Safe Boating Week. The Waterfront Festival helps kick off the boating season by emphasizing both the latest in new technology and recreational boaters’ responsibility for boating safely. The Town is deeply committed to promoting recreational boating and boating safety, and I encourage all those with an interest in boating to drop by the festival and to take part in the many educational activities offered throughout the week.”
“For 2017 we are proud to offer the biggest series to date of classes, demonstrations and fun events in an outstanding waterfront celebration for the entire Long Island boating community,” said Jackie Martin, Executive Officer of the Greater Huntington Council of Yacht and Boating Clubs, and event chairperson. “Come browse the many booths including craft, jewelry and clothing retailers, watersports shops, camps and realtors knowledgeable about our water-oriented communities,” she said.
This year’s Safe Boating Week “recognizes Coast Guardsman Michael Bovill of US Coast Guard Station Eatons Neck, who died in a car accident and whose heart was donated, thus giving the gift of life to another individual,” said Ms. Martin. “We are recognizing the Coast Guard Station Eatons Neck with the ‘Making a Difference Award’ presented to Anthony Martinez, Commander of the Station, from LiveOnNY, an organization devoted to encouraging organ donations,” said Ms. Martin.
Other partners in the week include the Coast Guard Auxiliary, Power Squadron and other marine-related safety agencies.
The week of events includes a free eight-hour New York State Boating Safety course, courtesy vessel safety inspections by the Coast Guard Auxiliary and Power Squadron, as well as courses, lectures and seminars on a range of topics, in addition to kayak and paddleboard safety classes.
This is the schedule of Safe Boating Week activities:
FREE NYS Safe Boating Course
Saturday, May 20th
8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Huntington Town Hall
To register, call Harbormaster's Office: 631-351-3255
8 hours total to complete class for boating certificate
Eatons Neck Coast Guard Station Tours
Saturday, May 20th
1:30 & 3:00
Reservations mandatory, limited space
To make reservations, contact: SBWCoastGuardTours@gmail.com
12 Lighthouse Road, Northport, NY 11768
FREE Basic CPR Course
Monday, May 22nd
Huntington Yacht Club
To register, contact Tom@bwmarinegroup.com
FREE Suddenly in Command
Tuesday, May 23rd
To register, call 631-424-2001
Given by the USCG Auxiliary
FREE Historical Lecture - "The Hapless Lexington"
Presented by Edward Carr, Director of Huntington Maritime Services, Historian and Author
Wednesday, May 24th
7:30 PM
East Northport Public Library
185 Larkfield Road
East Northport, NY 11731
No registration required
Police and fire rescue boats will be on display at the Mill Dam ramp. Area clubs and organizations will be on hand to answer questions about boating activities and membership.
For more information about classes and boat inspections, visit Huntingtonsafeboatingweek.com or email info@huntingtonboatingcouncil.org