A Beach Blast With Purpose
Labor Day may have passed, but big plans are still in store for Shelter Island, and for good cause. The Rock’s annual fund-raising Beach Blast is set for Saturday afternoon, and on Sunday morning, it’s the charitable bicycle Spur Ride.
The blast and barbecue is all-important this year to the Island Gift of Life, with last year’s event called off due to strong winds and a storm threat.
The Realm will headline the show this year, and as always, the band, which plays surf punk, ska, reggae covers, and originals, will donate its performance to increase the number of dollars raised for the cause.
Local bands will take the stage from 3 p.m. till midnight, and they will include the Hoodoo Loungers, Gene Casey and the Lone Sharks, Mamalee Rose and Friends, New Dawn, and Alfredo Merat’s Radio Europa. The Starlight Girls from Brooklyn will also play, and for the kids, there’s a 5 p.m. performance by Sag Harbor’s Goat in a Boat Puppet Theatre.
A $20 donation will be collected at the beach to benefit East Enders in need due to life-threatening illnesses. Hamburgers, hot dogs, cookies, water, and soda will be available for purchase. In the event of rain, the Beach Blast will be held on Sunday from noon till 8 p.m.
Sunday will bring the second annual bicycle ride organized in honor of Lt. Joseph J. Theinert of Shelter Island and Sag Harbor, a member of the 1-71 Cavalry, 1st Brigade Combat Team of the Army’s 10th Mountain Division who was killed in Afghanistan.
As of Monday, over 180 riders were registered, choosing 12.5 or 25-mile scenic routes around the island. Proceeds will benefit the Joseph J. Theinert Memorial Fund, a nonprofit organization whose newest venture is the creation of a rehabilitative center for wounded warriors to be called Strongpoint Theinert.
Registration costs $50 for cyclists or $25 for those under 16 and includes a souvenir T-shirt and admission to the post-race celebratory barbecue at SALT Waterfront Bar and Grill, where the Realm will again donate their musical talents for the occasion. Non-riders may join the party too, for a donation of $35 for adults or $15 for children.
Online ride registration can be completed at shelterislandspurride13. eventbrite.com. There will also be on-site registration on Sunday morning beginning at 7 at the Island Boatyard on Menantic Road, with remarks at 8:30 a.m. and a 9 a.m. start.