The Clamshell Foundation's annual Grucci fireworks show will light up the skies over Three Mile Harbor on Saturday night, and any number of road ends and sandy spots ringing the harbor will make for good viewing. The show starts just after dark. In case of rain, it will be held on Sunday night.
The show will be set to music, which will be simulcast on WLIW-FM with Brian Cosgrove as the host.
If you're not lucky enough to watch it from a boat or a waterfront yard, popular destinations include Sammy's Beach, the head of the harbor, the commercial dock on Gann Road, and Maidstone Park in Springs. The show can also be seen from Si Si at EHP Resort, the former East Hampton Point, and Bostwick's on the Harbor. It costs a pretty penny to put on the pyrotechnics, and those who want to help contribute can do so online at clamshellfoundation.org.
Three Mile Harbor will be temporary closed to shellfish harvesting due to the fireworks, according to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.
The closure will begin at sunrise on Saturday and continue through Wednesday. During that span, no shellfish may be taken from the harbor.
The closure covers all normally certified shellfish lands in Three Mile Harbor, including tributaries and the entrance channel into the harbor.
It is a precautionary measure, the D.E.C.'s commissioner, Bill Seggos said in a statement, "due to the potential of increased pollutants from recreational boating activity that can impact the safety of shellfish for consumers. We strongly encourage boaters to act responsibly when on the water and always use pump-out facilities to prevent negative effects to our waterways, natural resources, and public health."
Three Mile Harbor is expected to reopen to shellfish harvesting on July 20. If Saturday's event is canceled or postponed due to inclement weather, the D.E.C. may rescind the closure and reopen the area to harvesting earlier than July 20.
The D.E.C. has closed Three Mile Harbor to shellfishing on the day of the fireworks and the four days following since 1993. Hundreds of boaters typically gather for the popular event, many remaining overnight. Potential discharges of waste from marine sanitation devices, which is prohibited, may temporarily contaminate nearby shellfish beds, rendering them unsafe for human consumption.
The D.E.C. reminded boaters that all Peconic-Gardiner's Bay area waterways including Three Mile Harbor are no-discharge zones, and they are required to use pump-out facilities. The East Hampton Town Trustees operate a pump-out boat, which can be contacted by using marine radio, VHF channel 73, or calling 631-644-7162. The town harbormaster's office has a self-serve facility. Both are available at no cost to boaters.