Fireworks and a parade are among the ways Huntington residents will be celebrating the Fourth of July on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, public officials cautioned residents about boating safety, including temporarily reduced speeds and increased enforcement against intoxicated boaters.
Supervisor Chad A. Lupinacci, Councilwoman Joan Cergol and Councilman Ed Smyth were joined by New York State Assemblyman Andrew Raia, Senior Harbormaster Fred Uvena and members of the Greater Huntington Council of Yachting and Boating Clubs and the Huntington Beach Community Association for a press conference at the Town Harbormaster’s office to announce boating safety enforcement plans.
“This past weekend, the Town Harbormaster’s office had over two dozen incidents – between speeding summons and boat stops conducted, where they boarded vessels with reasonable cause,” Lupinacci said. “Our Bay Constables are out patrolling the waters from 7am until 2 o’clock in the morning every day, on call 24-7, to ensure all boaters are boating safely and following the rules in place to protect us all. There will be new enforcement measures in place this Fourth of July so everyone can safely enjoy local fireworks displays off Huntington’s beautiful shores.”
Between 8:30 PM and 11:00 PM Wednesday, the Town will enforcing a temporary 5 MPH boating limit in the waters off Huntington’s harbors and shores on the Long Island Sound. There are also eight boating emergency pickup locations: Powles Dock, Lloyd Neck Bath Club, Huntington Town Dock, Huntington Bay Club, Huntington Beach Community Association Dock, Northport Yacht Club, Soundview Boat Ramp, and the Eaton’s Neck Coast Guard Station.
“On the Fourth of July tomorrow, there will be many, many boats on the water, so it is imperative that everybody follows the rules of the water but not just on the Fourth of July. Every day people should observe the rules of the water. Everyone on the water should at some point get a Boating Safety Certificate and together we can all work to make our waterways safe,” Assemblyman Andrew Raia said.
For those wanting to see marchers and bands, a Fourth of July parade steps off at 10 a.m. from the Eaton’s Neck Fire Department firehouse at 55 Eaton’s Neck Road and proceeds to Price’s Bend Beach on Birmingham Drive. A short ceremony will take place at the beach, then all are invited back to the firehouse for hot dogs, hamburgers, and cold drinks.
At 5 p.m. Tuesday, the Suffolk Department of Health announced that several beaches in the Town of Huntington– Steers Beach, Asharoken Beach, Valley Grove Beach and Prices Bend Beach– are closed to bathing because of excessive levels of bacteria.
The Village of Asharoken is hosting its fireworks display at 9:15 p.m. , with viewing from Crab Meadow Beach recommended. Crab Meadow will be open to Huntington residents only.