Fire Island News & Great South Bay News

The Great South Bay Music Festival Makes Waves in 2026 with “Best Lineup Yet”

By Ava Stringer and Nikita Cook

Long Island’s longest-running music event returns as the 18th annual Great South Bay Music Festival runs from July 23 to July 26 at Shorefront Park in Patchogue. The four-day celebration of Long Island’s arts and culture includes family fun and activities for all ages. “We’ve implemented upgrades,” said Jim Faith, producer of the festival and […]

Op-ed: Equal protection means protecting Jewish New Yorkers

LI Press By Long Island Press

America’s Declaration of Independence guarantees that all people are entitled to “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” That promise must apply equally to all, including Jews. Today, Jews are in danger in their places of worship, in schools and colleges, online, and even in public spaces. Antisemitism, an ancient form of hatred, has…

Gateway Boosts Its Cache with a Name Change

Gateway Playhouse is upping its ante. Formerly known as The Gateway, the regional theater in Bellport, known for its Broadway talent and ebullient musicals, announced its new name, Gateway Playhouse, at its recent Cabaret Night Benefit Fundraiser. Besides the name, Cabaret Night is new too. The new Cabaret Night Fundraisers debuted in March, with standing-room-only attendance in the barn theater and top-area restaurant food and drink.

Arts & Theatre

By Linda Leuzzi

Gateway is upping its ante. Formerly known as The Gateway, the regional theater in Bellport, known for its Broadway talent and ebullient musicals, announced its new name, Gateway Playhouse, at its recent Cabaret Night Benefit Fundraiser. Besides the name, Cabaret Night is new too. The new Cabaret Night Fundraisers debuted in March, with standing-room-only attendance […]

Don’t Be in the Dark When it Comes to Caring for Your Window Shades and Blinds

Roman shades, vertical blinds, and wooden shutters are just a few of the many types of window coverings people have in their homes. They are extremely popular, but how many people know the proper way to care for them?

Date Night Fire Island: Dinner, a Show, and Dancing Under the Stars

Fire Island Water Taxi cut through the Great South Bay as the afternoon sun started to turn everything golden. Jeff and I had decided to make a proper night of it: Low Tea at the Blue Whale, the Barn on Fire presentation at Whyte Hall, dinner at Pines Bistro, and dancing at the Pavilion.

Arts & Theatre

By Brett Brubaker

Fire Island Water Taxi cut through the Great South Bay as the afternoon sun started to turn everything golden. Jeff and I had decided to make a proper night of it: Low Tea at the Blue Whale, the Barn on Fire presentation at Whyte Hall, dinner at Pines Bistro, and dancing at the Pavilion. We […]

Top Toque the Big To-Do in Ocean Beach

Ocean Beach

By Anika Banister

On Saturday, June 20, eight local home chefs competed in Ocean Beach’s third annual Top Toque competition at the Ocean Beach Community House. Each chef received a box of mystery ingredients, unknown even to the organizers, and crafted a dish judged on presentation, creativity, and taste. News 12 anchorwoman Erin Colton reprised her role as […]

Whale of a Grand Opening at Watch Hill

Fire Island National Seashore

By Lisa Daglian with Marlene Sklar

On a sparkling Saturday, June 20, Whalehouse Point Restaurant & Bar in Watch Hill officially opened its doors. Following a soft (and soggy) May opening, the band Buoy 34 entertained dozens of delighted diners and drinkers, as well as kids of all ages, at the spectacular new venue overlooking the Great South Bay and Watch […]

Propane Storage, Surplus Jet Ski, and More at Saltaire Village Meeting

Propane cylinders in a house backyard on a sunny day

Saltaire

By Mary Grahn

The Saltaire Village Board of Trustees convened on June 27 for their monthly meeting in the village library. Not all trustees were in attendance. Trustee Katie Lynn was absent due to illness, as was Frank Wolff, who was traveling, but attended virtually. The first order of business was the approval of $454,924.07 in expenditures, to […]

Bay Shore vigil offers prayers for victims of the Venezuelan earthquakes

Bay Shore community members gathered for a vigil to pray for those who died during the earthquakes in Venezuela.

LI Press By Nicholas Piretto

A Venezuelan flag waved above around a dozen people in the parking lot of a Bay Shore auto repair shop Thursday evening as they prayed for the casualties of the recent earthquakes. The earthquakes hit home for Franklin Montilla, who is originally from La Guaira, a Venezuelan city that has suffered catastrophic damage. He…

Paradise Lost: South Shore Featured in LIM’s Exhibit About 1970s Long Island Suburbia

Long Island

By Christopher Verga

Long Island Museum (LIM) in Stony Brook is featuring a new exhibit, Long Island in the 70’s, that revisits suburban life during the 1970s. One of the exhibit’s many features is its exploration of how the South Shore was shaped environmentally, politically, and socially. At the center of the exhibit’s retelling of the social changes […]

During one of Fire Island’s busiest weekends, the Fourth of July, do sellers benefit from increased foot traffic, or can the holiday chaos become a distraction from serious buying activity?”

In my experience, sellers often benefit from having their home on the market over the Fourth of July weekend. Fire Island is at its peak, with homeowners, renters, and visitors out enjoying the island, which naturally creates more exposure for listings and open houses. While some people are here strictly for the holiday and not actively looking to buy, the Fourth of July gives prospective buyers a chance to experience the community at its absolute best. These visitors can see the beaches, restaurants, events, and neighborhood atmospheres at their liveliest, immersing themselves in the traits that make each village on Fire Island unique. Real estate on Fire Island is often a lifestyle purchase, and buyers frequently decide they want to own here after experiencing that cherished lifestyle firsthand. I find the holiday weekend’s increased visibility and energy generally outweigh any distractions that come with the crowds; the island sells itself!

Between the Canals

By Samantha Salerno

Nathaniel Larson Licensed Real Estate Salesperson Daniel Gale Sotheby’s International Realty nathaniellarson@danielgale.com (631) 800-1301 In my experience, sellers often benefit from having their home on the market over the Fourth of July weekend. Fire Island is at its peak, with homeowners, renters, and visitors out enjoying the island, which naturally creates more exposure for […]

After the Fourth of July: Where to Go and What To Do After the Big Holiday

Davis Park

By Nikita Cook

Fourth of July may be in the rearview mirror now, but summer is only getting started, and there is so much to do over the glorious week that lies ahead. Don’t miss a minute of it! Movie in the Park: Daddy Day Camp Monday, June 6 (6:30 p.m.) The Town of Islip’s Summer Fun Series […]