The Bellport Chamber of Commerce once again hosted their annual Bellport Day celebration on Saturday, July 25, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., with road closures from the Four Corners to the Bellport Fire House on South Country Road, as well as part of Bellport Lane.
Celebrated in parallel was the chamber’s 100th anniversary. Established in 1926, the chamber has included Bellport, Brookhaven, and East Patchogue for a century as both a platform and support system for local commerce.
Suffolk County Legis. Dominick Thorne presented chamber president LuAnn Thompson with a Certificate of Recognition for the chamber’s 100 years.
Bellport Day began as a festival in 1982. Shop owners set up extended shopping displays along the Main Street as well as business members and nonprofit groups.
A juggler and stilt walker also performed throughout the day as well as various music groups at the bandshell.
The Bellport Fire Department held their annual craft fair with toys, art of different media, artisan soaps, and jewelry for sale among other items.
Fifty businesses participated in the event and the Bellport-Brookhaven Historical Museum sponsored square dancing on the gazebo lawn.
Curious children flocked to the two fish tank exhibits at the nonprofit Friends of Bellport Bay, an environmental organization that is dedicated to “restoring the bay, one shellfish at a time.”
Friends of Bellport Bay’s education director, Maria Slavnova, shared with the young ladies that due to rising pollution levels and over-harvesting that the abundant shellfish population in the bay had dwindled to dangerous, possibly non-recoverable levels, but that volunteers at the Friends group worked to restore the shellfish population to healthy numbers.
The South Bay Arts Association held an en plein air contest with artists stationed at different locations that captured natural beauty. En plein air, French for “open air” and more commonly known as outdoor painting, comprises works created outdoors in natural light.
Claude Monet’s work is famous for his French Impressionist-style plein air paintings.
“The South Bay Art Association’s sixth annual Plein Air Event and Exhibition on Bellport Day was wonderfully successful. The feedback from our visitors was amazing. We had 27 area artists joining this year,” said Claudia Mirzaali, event chair.
“Plein air painting captures nature’s patterns, the light and the myriads of rich colors of the unequivocal and ever-changing naturescape that is the natural beauty of the South Shore. It welcomes artistic exploration and expression. Local and familiar, the inspiration is endless,” said Mirzaali.
The winners included:
1st place - Rico Ford, Wine Gallery, gouache
2nd place - Tianzhou Zhao, Gazebo, acrylic
3rd place - Nancy Lopez, Avery Homestead, watercolor and ink
Honorable Mention - Hillary Broder, Untitled, watercolor and collage
“Any day that allows us to showcase the beauty of the village and its residents, as well as promoting the restaurants, shops and businesses, is a very good day. Bellport Day did just that. Those that came and had a wonderful experience will likely come back for more. Congratulations to the chamber of commerce, village officials, the fire department and all involved in putting together and pulling off a fantastic Day. I’m so proud to be a representative for this community!” said State Sen. Dean Murray.
“Bellport Day is a great reminder of what makes our South Shore communities so special. It’s a chance for neighbors to come together, support our local businesses, enjoy a day with family and friends, and celebrate the volunteers and organizations that make Bellport such a vibrant place to live,” said state assemblyman Joe DeStefano.
DeStefano congratulated the chamber on the centennial anniversary and said, “Their dedication has helped strengthen local businesses and preserve the unique character of Bellport for generations, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to have celebrated this milestone with them.”
“Bellport Day is a great reminder that a thriving Main Street is today’s town square… a place where people get together, local businesses flourish, and community connections are made. It was wonderful to see so many people enjoying a beautiful day together. We’re especially grateful to the Bellport Chamber of Commerce and the Bellport Fire Department for organizing another outstanding event!” said Bellport Village mayor Maureen Veitch.
“It is always important for communities to come together socially for the sole purpose of building communication and pride where they live. I want to thank the Bellport Fire Department, South Country Ambulance and the Village of Bellport for making that possible,” said Suffolk County Legis. Dominick Thorne.
“Events like Bellport Day not only create a sense of pride amongst the community members, but it brings folks together and enables them to display the unique flavor of the neighborhood and share it with all those who visit their beautiful area,” said Brookhaven councilman Mike LoGuercio.
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