Celebrate Smithtown’s 350th Birthday With a BANG at Sunken Meadow!
Sesquarcentennial is the word for a three-hundred and fiftieth celebration. Smithtown has had several Sesquarcentennial events and celebrations thus far including a mini marathon aimed to mimic the circuit Bull Smith took to ascertain land from the native tribe that once dwelled in what is now Smithtown. It also included a play on the history of the town at Smithtown’s own Performing Arts Center and the dressing up of local politicians in period garb for a Town Board meeting. All were great sports about it.
However the next event promises a big BANG! Pat Biancaniello is on the board of the 350 Foundation as well as Tony Tanzi. Both volunteers and the entire 350 Foundation have been hard at work in putting what will be by far one of highlights of the year’s celebrations.
“This is really exciting, we have so many different music events, two rock bands, a steel drum, a Smithtown Community Band, a D.J. and Norman Vincent will be playing in the V.I.P. tent,” said Biancaniello. The cost to be in the V.I.P. tent is $150 a person and will most likely include all 350 Foundation volunteers except those volunteering at the beach party, all politicians, some reporters and community activists.
Tanzi is the father of four and said the Beach Party on September 19th starts at 4 p.m. rain or shine. “There will be several inflatable rides and the D.J. will be in the children’s area,” he explained.
Toss in an apple pie and ice-cream eating contest, magicians, stilt walkers, jugglers and face painters and it’s every kids dream come true!
The Committee for the Beach Party is headed up by Kathy Albrecht and Tony Tanzi and Biancaniello says they have been working very hard on this all summer. The event will take place at Sunken Meadow State Park. “The state has been wonderfully cooperative in helping the Foundation plan the event,” she added.
Connoisseur Media will be simulcasting the event on one of its three stations Walk 97.5, 94.3 The Shark or 103.1 Max.
In addition there will be craft vendors and the entire event will culminate with an almost half hour fireworks show by Bay Fireworks choreographed specifically for Smithtown’s Sesquarcentennial.
“I can tell you that we have been in dozens of meetings with every state and local agency known to man trying to put this together, everyone has been unbelievably helpful and this is definitely going to be an event worthy of a 350th year anniversary,” ended Tanzi.
Biancaniello says the 350 Foundation has been a wonderfully dynamic group of people to work with.
Fireworks will begin after dark. All attendees are asked to bring non-perishable food for the Smithtown Emergency Food Pantry.