Independence Day marks the day that the 13 original colonies became free and independent from British rule. Back in 1776, on July 4, the Declaration of Independence was ratified by the Second Continental Congress, thus establishing the United States of America. Two hundred and fifty years later, here in the Hamptons, celebrations include myriad firework displays, a good ol’ fashioned pig roast at an East End institution and an epic parade sure to please spectators of all ages.
As we head into the holiday weekend, keep in mind this little quote from Abraham Lincoln: “Those who deny freedom to others, deserve it not for themselves.”
Happy Fourth, South Forkers! Stay safe out there.
Southampton Town
Everyone loves a parade, especially the Southampton Fourth of July Parade, slated to being at 10 a.m. on Friday, July Fourth proper. For over a century now, generations of families, residents and visitors have gathered to celebrate our nation’s birthday. The tradition honors the brave men and women, both past and present, who sacrificed for our freedom. Organized by the Village of Southampton Commission on Veterans Patriotic Events, this parade consistently ranks as one of the largest on Long Island. It starts at Railroad Plaza, continues down North Main Street, to Jobs Lane, ending at Monument Square at Agawam Park.
The Westhampton Country Club will put on a fireworks display from their Potunk Lane location tomorrow, around 9 p.m. While the country club is for members only, the spectacular display by Grucci can be viewed from anywhere within the Village of Westhampton Beach. Rain date is Saturday, July 5, same time same place.
Tomorrow and Saturday, don’t miss your change to see fireworks at the North Sea Fire Department‘s annual carnival (located on the fire department’s fairgrounds at 27 Straight Path, just off Noyack Road in Southampton).
East Hampton Town
The recently reopened, revamped Ruschmeyers (more on that here) hosts a pig roast for July Fourth. Set for the iconic hotel’s (located at 161 Second House Road, Montauk, 631-483-5154) onsite restaurant, The Grill, the old-fashioned, classic BBQ dining experience will offer summer specials including a spit-roasted New York State Gloucester Old Spot Pig, Tuscan-style porchetta sandwiches, Schaller-Weber pork hot dogs, stone fruit and tomato salad, street corn, potato salad, apple crips and s’mores. There’ll also be an à la carte raw bar featuring local oysters and clams, buckets of beer, frosé and frozen espresso martinis. Outdoor lawn games will include a corn hole tournament and they’ll be a DJ onsite spinning tunes all day. The pig roast runs from noon to 6 p.m. on Friday, July 4. Tickets are $55 per person and $25 per child.
The Stars Over Montauk 4th of July Fireworks are on this Friday at Umbrella Beach (aka Kirk Park Beach, 95 S. Emerson Ave.) starting around 9 p.m. Put on by the first family of fireworks, the Grucci’s, the show-stopping spectacle is hosted by the Montauk Chamber of Commerce and Visit Montauk.
Since 1947, the Devon Yacht Club in Amagansett has hosted an annual Fourth of July display. And while Devon is a private club, the fireworks show they put on can be viewed from several nearby spots, particularly Fresh Pond Beach just a couple of miles away. The fireworks are expected to start on Saturday around 9:15 p.m.
Clamshell Foundation’s annual fireworks display over Three Mile Harbor in East Hampton, brought to us by the one and only Grucci family, is set for Saturday, July 12, beginning after 9 p.m. A nearly five-decade tradition originally started when the late writer, actor and Paris Review founder George Plimpton started hosting fireworks parties at his summer homes in Sagaponack and Amagansett, before migrating over to Three Mile Harbor. The Clamshell Foundation took over the firework show back in 2009, which have always been scheduled for the first Saturday after Bastille Day, the French national holiday, in honor of Plimpton’s love of Paris. Good viewing locations include Maidstone Park, Sammy’s Beach and Gann Road, plus any of the beaches off of Hands Creek Road and Springy Banks Road.
Sag Harbor
The Sag Harbor Yacht Club hosts is annual John A. Ward Independence Day Fireworks this Saturday, July 5, starting between 9 and 9:30 p.m. Named in memory of one of the club’s beloved members, the fireworks will be launched from Long Wharf, so good viewing spots include Marine Park (located a block south, on Bay Street) and Havens Beach (just under a mile down the road).
Shelter Island
Next Friday, July 11, join in for one of the best parties of the year, “The Shipwreck Annual Fireworks Pre-Party,” at Salt Waterfront Bar & Grill (63 Menantic Road, Shelter Island, 631-749-5535) from 6 to 11 p.m. with live music from The Realm. Money raised at the event will support the annual Shelter Island Fireworks, set for next Saturday, July 12, to begin around 9 p.m. at Crescent Beach. Rain date is Sunday, July 13.
