Summer Arts Fest Kicks Off 45th Season

Hundreds  of music lovers of all ages gathered on beach blankets and folding chairs on the grassy turf in front of the Chapin Rainbow Stage in Heckscher Park Saturday night for the opening of the 45th annual Huntington Summer Arts Festival.

The eight-week long celebration of music, dance and theatrical arts— all of which is free—is presented by the Town of Huntington and produced by the Huntington Arts Council with support from the New York State Council on the Arts, the Suffolk County Office of Cultural Affairs, and new presenting sponsor, Bethpage Federal Credit Union.

As is tradition, HAC Executive Director Diana Cherryholmes welcomed the huge crowd prior to introducing the band.

Huntington Town Councilwoman Susan Berland was on hand for the festivities, which she described as her "favorite night of the year."

"Nothing is more fun than coming to a show at Heckscher Park," Berland said, adding that parents should remember to bring their children on Tuesday nights for the "It's Showtime Family Series."

"Every Tuesday night I pick kids to come up on stage to help sell merchandise," Berland said,  eliciting laughs from the crowd as she brandished 2010 Summer Arts Festival souvenir tee-shirts and sweatshirts.

The opening act created a Saturday night 'vibe' with a performance by blues/rock guitarist G.E. Smith, known for his five-year stint as front man for Saturday Night Live band. Smith also served as lead guitarist for Hall & Oates for 6 years, recording such hits as "Private Eyes" and "Kiss On My List." As promised, Smith's performance rocked the park and had audience members tapping their toes and swaying to the music.