Riverhead plans America 250 gala next month, July 4 parade and fireworks in South Jamesport

Riverhead is beginning to roll out plans for a local celebration of the nation’s 250th birthday, kicking things off with a Jan. 23 “Red White and Blue Ball” at the Sea Star Ballroom and culminating in a July 4 parade followed by a fireworks show at South Jamesport Beach.  

Members of the town’s America 250 committee Debi Burkowsky, Riverhead chief of staff, Town Historian Georgette Case, Long Island Aquarium Director Bryan DeLuca and Riverhead Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Liz O’Shaughnessy, and Meaghan Howard, who joined the discussion by phone, met with the Town Board at its work session Thursday to outline early plans for a series of events leading up to the semiquincentennial. 

Howard said the Jan. 23 event at the Sea Star Ballroom, attached to the aquarium on East Main Street, is intended as the kickoff for Riverhead’s America 250 festivities. She asked residents to “save the date” for the “Red White and Blue Ball” featuring music, a “Tuscan table” of meats, cheeses and salads, a pasta station, passed hors d’oeuvres and dessert, with a cash bar. 

“It’s going to be a really fun event,” Howard said.

“We would love everyone to wear their finest red, white and blue attire,” Howard said. “Or if you’re feeling extra creative and you want to dress in historical or colonial fashions, you’re welcome to do that. And we will actually have some prizes for a costume contest for those who are interested in participating in that as part of the event,” she said.

Ticket prices for the event and ticketing details have not yet been announced. 

“Will be giving you some more details on the event, as everything comes together, including ticketing prices and how to purchase tickets. We’re just finalizing some of those details, but our goal is to make this a very accessible event for anyone in the town who might want to attend,” she said. ”We’re super excited about it.”

Riverhead’s America 250 effort is part of a countywide and nationwide observance of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. Hubbard said Suffolk County has been coordinating with towns and villages and preparing a “handbook” of local events. Burkowsky told the board the county has also created an “America 250” passport and an online map highlighting historic sites, reenactments and talks; visitors can collect stamps at participating locations.  

Locally, Burkowsky said the committee’s aim is to schedule something every month beginning with the January ball, with events spread across the town “from Wading River all the way to Laurel.” 

The committee includes Riverhead council members Joann Waski  and Denise Merrifield, representatives of the Riverhead Free Library, East End Arts, the Lions Club, Townscape, East End Disability Associates and local historians, among others. 

Residents, businesses and community groups interested in participating, sponsoring or volunteering can contact the committee by email at america250@townofriverheadny.gov, Burkowsky said.  

DeLuca said the committee is looking to get the community involved in making the town look festive for the celebration, decorated with “banners, flags, yard signs, lawn signs, and just really getting the community to really, really embrace red, white and blue,” DeLuca said. The committee is working on a sponsorship package that would include sponsoring lawn signs and banners.

Plans for the actual anniversary date in 2026 include a parade and fireworks at South Jamesport beach. Waski said the committee envisions a July 4 parade with floats and participants representing different eras, including fire departments, local businesses, historic and antique groups and classic cars.

On the night of July 4, the town will put on a fireworks show at South Jamesport Beach.  

The town has already booked a fireworks company for the July 4, 2026 show, which will be launched from a barge offshore so it can be viewed from boats as well as from the beach and surrounding shoreline, officials said. They are also hoping to organize additional festivities at the beach that day.  

Case said the history component of the celebration will begin early in the year with a lobby exhibit at Town Hall in January, organized with the Suffolk Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. It will include the names of more than 100 Revolutionary War soldiers and patriots buried in the Town of Riverhead, along with other local history displays.  

Committee members stressed that planning is still in the early stages and that more details about the January ball and other America 250 events will be announced as they are finalized.