by Debbie Tuma
It was almost a miracle. The smoky skies of the July 4th Holiday Weekend cleared up by Tuesday, just in time for the highly anticipated fireworks cruise aboard the Viking Starship in Montauk. This popular cruise drew over 100 people, and first we met at 5 pm at Sammy’s Restaurant at the docks nearby, for drinks and appetizers.
This event is held by the Montauk Chamber of Commerce, and Executive Director Jennifer Fowkes was on hand helping to organize it. Since Montauk is such a huge tourist destination, the Chamber is busy with numerous activities and fundraisers each summer. Besides the usual Montauk locals, there were people coming from all over Long Island and the city for this cocktail party and cruise. Owner Sam Joyce put out a huge array of hot and cold apps, and it was nice to start the evening with a few drinks.
We boarded the 125-foot, steel Viking Starship (the biggest in the Viking Fleet) at about 7 pm, under a soft pink sky and with a flat calm sea. People of all ages scurried to the top and bottom decks, and the Montauk Chamber set up a bar with beer and wine in the stern of the ship.
“This is one of our favorite events,” said Chamber Director Jennifer Fowkes, who greeted all the guests. Susan Ceslow, of Douglas Elliman in Montauk agreed. “I came with some friends, and we’re having a great time,” she said, from the rail.
It’s always so beautiful to cruise out of the Montauk Harbor, past the Coast Guard Station, the Town Dock with commercial trawlers and draggers, past Gosman’s Dock and restaurants, and out through the jetties.
The Viking crew brought out a long buffet dinner of fried chicken, cole slaw, potato salad, assorted hero sandwiches and homemade cookies….a perfect picnic!
Tonight we were listening and dancing to music from “The Realm”, which set up their band on the top deck, and lots of people were moving up there for the dancing and a better view. Genevieve and her husband Chris were enjoying the music, and also their first fireworks cruise. This band plays at the Montauk Music Festival, and around the island. “This is a great way to spend the 4th of July,” said Genevieve, a fundraiser from Manhattan.
Some people were dressed for the occasion, like Joan Macri, who donned a red and white striped scarf over a navy blouse with white stars. Susan Ceslow wore a cute tee-shirt with Fourth of July cocktails across the front. And Michael Garite, 32, a Brooklyn photographer, was running around shooting all the festivities.
As the ship positioned itself facing the beach, we noticed a few other boats waiting for the fireworks as well. All of a sudden, when it grew dark about 9 pm, the crowd cheered as the first Grucci fireworks were set off in the night sky. They lasted for about a half hour, with different bright colors lighting up the sky, and the water. As always, the finale was amazing!
As The Realm continued to play, Stephanie DiGregorio, of Oyster Bay, grabbed one of the mates on the boat, and started dancing.
“I was supposed to be home tonight, but my friend told me to come here instead,” she said. “It was one of the best events of the Montauk summer. And it exceeded my expectations!”
