The Peconic Riverfront is shaping up to be a happening place this summer.
The Riverhead Business Improvement District Management Association board of directors agreed on the organization's 2012 schedule of events at its Jan. 18 meeting.
Classic Car Cruise Nights will return to the riverfront every Thursday, beginning May 3.
The lineup of other events is as follows:
Antique Show and Fair, Saturday, June 2
Third Annual Cardboard Boat Races, Sunday, June 24
Fourth of July Celebration, Wednesday, July 4, featuring two bands and fireworks
Oldies Concert, Saturday, July 21
Triathlon, Sunday, July 29 (cosponsored with the Riverhead Community Development Agency)
Mardi Gras, Saturday, Aug. 4
Holiday Bonfire, Saturday, Dec. 8
Ed Densieski asked the board to reconsider its decision in 2011 to forego fireworks on New Year's Eve. He said he had "a lot of calls from people" about the Dec. 31 fireworks show.
"People look forward to it," Densieski said. "It's become part of a lot of people's New Year's Eve tradtion."
Other events on the downtown calendar this year include the annual Community Mosaic Street Painting Festival, Sunday, May 27 and the Riverhead Blues and Music Festival, Saturday and Sunday, June 16 & 17, sponsored by the Council for the Vail-Leavitt Music Hall.
BIDMA president Ray Pickersgill told board members the country-western concert sponsored by the organization in 2010 and 2011 was left off the BID's calendar this year because Cody's BBQ and the "My Country 96.1" radio station are planning a BBQ festival and contest this summer. The event will be held in the Peconic River parking lot and will feature a grilling contest judged by chef Bobby Flay
and grand champion pitmaster Konrad Haskins, Pickersgill said.
BIDMA members will be asked to volunteer at the event and can also "set up booths," Pickersgill said. The BID will not be contributing financial support to the festival, he said.
Also at the meeting, the board discussed the status of plans for the downtown synthetic-ice rink the organization would like to build on the riverfront.
Pickersgill said the BIDMA is waiting for architect and BIDMA vice president Martin Sendlewski, to finish the drawings for the rink.
BIDMA treasurer Ed Densieski asked to have an email or letter sent to Sendlewski asking to have the drawings ready for consideration at the next BIDMA board meeting.
"If we push real hard, we can probably have this ready for the next skating season," Densieski said.
Riverhead Town has just installed a portable ice rink at Stotzky Park, inside the existing roller rink. See story. The synthetic rink planned for the riverfront could be used year-round.
Remember to check the RiverheadLocal Community Calendar for event listings, descriptions, maps and directions.
