Lighthouse Music Fest Draws Thousands of Boats

By Samantha Carey

Thousands of boats – and tens of thousands of people - celebrated at the 14th annual Lighthouse Music Festival over the Labor Day weekend. They came from across Long Island Sound and the Hudson Valley, to anchor in Lloyd Harbor and Huntington Bay - or lounge on the nearby beaches - and enjoy some outstanding live music.

Each year, boaters, kayakers and paddle boarders gather for the music festival held in the middle of the water from the Huntington Lighthouse – a working lighthouse just 300 yards offshore at the mouths of Huntington Harbor and Lloyd Harbor. Powerful sound equipment is set-up on the lighthouse, and dozens of bands take launches out to the lighthouse and alternate playing sets from the upper deck of the lighthouse.

This event quickly became a Labor Day tradition and is spearheaded by the Huntington Lighthouse Preservation Society (HLPS).

“The Huntington Lighthouse is our town's special jewel and the Lighthouse Music Festival shines a bright, beautiful spotlight on that treasure,” stated Huntington Town Councilman Dr. Dave Bennardo. “We offer our heartfelt thanks to all of the dedicated volunteers who make this festival possible.”

The music festival drew over 2,000 boats and over 500 kayakers and stand-up paddle boarders this year, said Garrett Chelius, Deputy Director of the Department of Maritime Services.

“The 14th Annual Lighthouse Music Festival was a huge success,” added Chelius. “A great time was had by all, and we can’t wait until next year's event!”

Chelius thanked the Huntington Department of Maritime Services, the Suffolk County Maritime Police Department, the Lloyd Harbor Police Department, the Cold Spring Harbor Fire Department, the Halesite Fire Department, the Huntington Fire Department, the Huntington Community First Aid Squad, the U.S. Coast Guard and the Coast Guard Auxiliary for all contributing to the event.