The Great Bonac Fireworks show over Three Mile Harbor in East Hampton will take place on Saturday, July 13. Sponsored by The Clamshell Foundation, the fireworks are a decades-long tradition that began in the early 1970s when George Plimpton, the late writer, actor and founder of The Paris Review, began hosting fireworks parties at his summer homes in Sagaponack and Amagansett. Because of Mr. Plimpton’s love for Paris, the fireworks have always been scheduled for the first Saturday after Bastille Day and for many years, the show was a benefit for Boys and Girls Harbor summer camp on Three Mile Harbor. After the camp closed in 2006, the fireworks tradition almost faded into history, but in 2009, The Clamshell Foundation revived the popular event and has sponsored it every year since. Entirely funded by corporate sponsorship and public contributions, all of the profits go back to community endeavors including college scholarships, food banks and fish seeding programs.
Great viewing locations for the July 13 fireworks show, which is being produced by Fireworks by Grucci, include Maidstone Park and Sammy’s Beach, Gann Road, or any of the beaches off Hands Creek Road and Springy Banks Road, as well as the head of Three Mile Harbor.
For boats, here are the coordinates to aim for:
Lat: 41o 01′ 15.49″ N
Long: 72o 11′ 27.50″
Also coming up is The Clamshell Foundation’s 28th Sandcastle Contest on August 10 at Atlantic Avenue Beach in Amagansett. For details, visit clamshellfoundation.org.
Staff Writer on Jun 27, 2019