Battle On The Bay Moved Back to Patchogue

The Battle on the Bay is a go, although details are still coming together after the at the end of August.

Last week, a resolution authorizing Town of Islip Supervisor Phil Nolan to execute an agreement with Great South Bay Racing, Inc. for the Battle on the Bay failed due to a lack of a motion by the town board thus eliminating the possibility of the event taking place within the Town of Islip.

Great South Bay Racing, which runs the event, had previously held the event in Patchogue but after a scheduling conflict, the Sayville Chamber of Commerce stepped up and suggested downtown Sayville for the festivities.

According to Great South Bay Racing President Louis Giancontieri, details are still being finalized, but the event will still be taking place.

As it stands now, the boats will be arriving on Thursday, Aug. 25 and Friday, Aug. 26 and will be on display at Race Village, which is now being held in Raymour and Flanigan’s parking lot, located at the intersection of Route 112 and Sunrise Highway in Patchogue. Race Village was originally set to take place in East Islip.

On Friday, Aug. 26, many of the race boats will be on display on Sayville’s Main Street from 6 – 10 p.m. with a chance for spectators to see the boats up close and personal and meet the racers. This is the only portion of the event that will take place in the Town of Islip.

The Sayville Chamber of Commerce submitted a permit for a street fair for the Friday night festivities featuring both boats and vendors. “We feel this will be a boost to local business and no expense to the town or county,” said chamber president Richard Trpicovsky.

According to Kevin Bonner, Director of Public Information for the Town of Islip, “the permit for the Friday night event is still in the works.”

He explained that “logistical issues” still need to be reviewed, but no new permit will be necessary, as this was part of the original special event permit submitted at the June 21 Town Board meeting.  “This was passed by the Town Board pending all necessary Town, County, and State approvals,” said Bonner.

The two races will be held Saturday, Aug. 27 and Sunday, Aug. 28 with boats launching from the Patchogue River into the Great South Bay and racing in Town of Brookhaven waters. A Grucci Fireworks show is set for Saturday night as well as live music and other festivities. Details are still being finalized, but this will happen in the Town of Brookhaven. The Mastic Fire Department is the lead agency for the weekend’s race.

On Sunday evening, after the races are over, a party and awards presentation is scheduled to take place at Blue Restaurant in Blue Point.

According to Giancontieri, all permits are in place for the weekend’s events.

from the West Sayville Fire Department regarding a conflict with the Long Island Maritime Museum’s Seafood Festival the same weekend, but nothing is planned in Sayville for Friday, Aug. 26 to interfere with the use of Main Street.

“As with any community event involving crowds and road closures in our town, we will have a plan in place to minimize the impact on our response to emergencies,” said Sayville Fire Chief Thomas Pantano in regard to the Friday festivities in planned in Sayville.

“I have not met one fire chief who was not onboard, including (West Sayville Fire Department Chief) Joe Schroeder,” Giancontieri said. “They have been great. We understand that they are volunteers and this is extra work for them and we really appreciate it.”

Giancontieri recognized that the event is now split in many locations and not the most ideal for spectators.

“The weekend is not going to be the perfect venue for the fans since we are in a few locations, which I am sorry for but it was not my doing,” he said.

For more information on the event, visit greatsouthbayracing.com. Information will be added as details are finalized.