July Fourth events guide: Fairs, fireworks and fun to fill your holiday weekend on Long Island
Ignite the summer with a long Fourth of July weekend that’s packed with possibilities. Whether it be a concert, a running race, a festival or simply a fireworks display, plenty is happening throughout Nassau and Suffolk to help you celebrate and honor Independence Day.
July 3
Celebrate the holiday at Eisenhower Park
Field 6;1899 Park Blvd., East Meadow
The show features The Allmost Brothers Band and Chicken Head Rocks, 5:30 to 10 p.m. at the Lakeside Theatre. Display begins at 9:30 p.m. (Rain date is July 5 at 9:30 p.m.)
COST Free
MORE INFO 516-572-0200, nassaucountyny.gov.
Head to the Greenport Firemen's Carnival
170 Moore Lane, Greenport
Spend the evening hopping from one carnival ride to another, tasting fair food and trying your luck winning game prizes. Carnival runs 6 to 11 p.m. with sky display at 10 p.m.
COST Free
MORE INFO facebook.com
July 4
See the sky light up at Jones Beach State Park
2400 Ocean Pkwy., Wantagh
Fourth of July fireworks over Jones Beach State Park in Wantagh to celebrate Independence Day. Credit: Newsday/Thomas A. Ferrara
A 30-minute fireworks extravaganza by Garden State Fireworks will make up the Independence Day Celebration at 9:30 p.m. Drivers are charged a $10 event fee and can tune into WALK 97.5 FM or KJOY 98.3 FM for correlating patriotic songs. Another way to view the illuminated skies is by boat on a Captree Fleet cruise from Captree State Park, located at 3500 E. Ocean Pkwy., Babylon.
COST Fireworks: $10; Cruise: $59-$65 per person
MORE INFO Jones Beach: 516-785-1600, parks.ny.gov; 631-669-6464, captreefleet.com
Check out “The Star-Spangled Bash” at Bald Hill
1 Ski Run Lane, Farmingville
“The Star-Spangled Bash,” a free concert and fireworks display, comes to the Catholic Health Amphitheater at Bald Hill. The event will feature performances by School of Rock, local country artist Megan VK and female vocal trio, The Chiclettes. Immediately following the concert will be a pyrotechnics show by Grucci. Gates open at 5 p.m., the concert starts at 5:30 p.m. and the fireworks begin at 9:15 p.m. The synchronized music selection for the fireworks will be simulcast on LI News Radio 103.9 FM and Big Hits 98.1 FM.
COST Free
MORE INFO 631-542-5423, champbaldhill.com
Enjoy fireworks at Umbrella Beach in Montauk
742 Montauk Hwy., Montauk
Bring a blanket or a lawn chair down to the beach, where a free Grucci fireworks display will commence at 9:15 p.m. Those 21 and older who are seeking a fancier presentation can head out on a cruise, launching from 462 West Lake Dr., in Montauk, with cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, buffet dinner and a live performance by the Realm Band.
COST Free to see fireworks at Umbrella Beach; cruise is $150 per person
MORE INFO Fireworks: iloveny.com; 631-668-2428, eventbrite.com
Cheer on the Long Island Ducks
3 Court House Dr., Central Islip
Catch the Long Island Ducks minor league baseball team play the Charleston Dirty Birds at Fairfield Properties Ballpark at 6:35 p.m., followed by a postgame fireworks show.
COST $20-$22
MORE INFO 631-940-3825, liducks.com
Sprint the Iron Horse 4-Miler
88 West Ave., West Sayville
The race starts at 8 a.m. from the Long Island Maritime Museum. The run raises funds to be donated to the ALS Ride for Life for their patient services at the Stony Brook Neuromuscular Disease and Christopher Pendergast ALS Center of Excellence.
COST $33.74; race is for ages 18 or older
MORE INFO runsignup.com
Join an Independence Day 4-mile run/walk
230 Pettit Ave., Bellmore
The Bellmore Striders will host the race starting from the Bellmore Fire House at 8:30 a.m.
COST $22; race is for ages 13 and older
MORE INFO bellmorestriders.com
Run the Fabulous 4th of July Race
98 Laurelton Blvd., Long Beach
The City of Long Beach presents the race in memory of Sean Ryan, 1K fun run 8 a.m., 4K at 8:30 a.m.
COST $35-$45, ages 16 and older
MORE INFO 516-431-3890, longbeachny.gov/rec
July 4-7
Hop on rides and see fireworks at the Empire State Fair
Nassau Coliseum parking lot: 1255 Hempstead Tpk., Uniondale
Empire State Fair returns to Nassau Coliseum with rides, food vendors and more. Credit: Howard Simmons
Ride a Ferris wheel that reaches 110 feet in the sky, catch the “Pirates of the Caribbean” thrill show, visit the Sandlofer Family Petting Zoo and Cowtown USA or witness the Anastasini Circus, featuring juggling, comedy and more, noon to 11 p.m.
COST $10
MORE INFO 516-654-8203, empirestatefair.com
July 5
Jam to live music at Alive on 25
Located from Griffing Avenue to McDermott Avenue, Riverhead
Head to Main Street in Riverhead and enjoy a lineup of outdoor music and entertainment as part of Alive on 25. Credit: Diane Tucci
Join the summer street festival where there is live music on multiple stages, local craft beverages, outdoor dining, street vendors and more starting at 5 p.m. Kick off the weekend with a fireworks display at 9 p.m.
COST Free
MORE INFO 631-440-1350, downtownriverhead.org
Belt out the lyrics with tribute band Scarecrow
Field 4 at Jones Beach, 1 Ocean Pkwy., Wantagh
Hear the heartland songs of Indiana’s own John Mellencamp as tribute band Scarecrow delivers a colorful set of hits at the Jones Beach Bandshell at 8 p.m. July 5.
COST Free
MORE INFO 516-826-5979
July 6
Sing along with Walker Hayes at Catholic Health Amphitheater at Bald Hill
1 Ski Run Lane, Farmingville
Country star Walker Hayes will headline Catholic Health Amphitheater at Bald Hill in Farmingville on July 6. Credit: Sarah Elizabeth
Kick it country style as Walker Hayes headlines at 7 p.m. with special guests Kylie Morgan and Tigirlily Gold. “There’s a wide variety of emotions throughout my show,” says Hayes, 44. “But it has a nice flow for a little over 90 minutes. I want it to be impactful.” Expect to hear songs like “Beer in the Fridge,” “Same Drunk,” “Halloween,” “AA” and the anthem, “Fancy Like.” “‘Fancy Like’ has its own personality,” says Hayes. “It’s a monster singalong that's quite a moment on stage every night.”
COST $37.20-$134.37
MORE INFO 631-542-5423, champbaldhill.com
Rock out at Mulcahy's
3232 Railroad Ave., Wantagh
Almost Creed channels the late ‘90s rock sensation Creed at 7:30 p.m. July 6 with opening act Eminescence (tribute to Evanescence). “Since they reunited this year people are excited to hear these songs again. Creed music is very much in demand,” says lead singer Rob Semtek, 47, of East Moriches.
COST $19.01; 21 and older
MORE INFO 516-783-7500, muls.com
July 6-7
Join an 1864 celebration
1303 Round Swamp Road, Old Bethpage
Old Bethpage Village Restoration will hold its 1864 Independence Day Celebration featuring a parade, 19th century-style music and a look inside the homes in the village from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
COST $15, $12 ages 5-12
MORE INFO 516-572-8409, oldbethpagevillagerestoration.org
July 7
Dance with Asia at The Paramount
370 New York Ave., Huntington
Capture some early ‘80s vibes as the band makes a stop on “The Heat of the Moment Tour” 7 p.m. with special guests Focus, Martin Turner (Wishbone Ash) and Curved Air. “It will be a trip down memory lane for a lot of people,” says keyboardist and founding member Geoff Downes, 71. “There will be quite a lot of focus on the first and second album. We try to keep it as mainstream as possible with the occasional curveball here and there.”
COST $66.25-$234.80
MORE INFO 631-673-7300, paramountny.com
David J. Criblez is a reporter for Newsday's exploreLI, covering entertainment-related events from local music to stand-up comedy to festivals.