Dan's Papers - August 31, 2007 - Shelter Island Beach Blast

After a summer of stuffy cocktail parties, red-carpet fundraisers and $500 event tickets, the Shelter Island Beach Blast is a chance to let your hair down, kick up some sand and really enjoy yourself at an event. The Beach Blast is known all over the Hamptons as the season's most-anticipated event. An all-day festival, this party is perfect for the whole family. All day kids and parents will enjoy fun and games at the beach, and later, the musical lineup will rock the night.

The sun is warm and the water is cool all day on Wades Beach. An always-popular pig roast and barbeque offer food at affordable prices. 50/50 raffle tickets are available for just $20 each and there is only one winner for the raffle so the prize money could potentially be thousands of dollars. The 50/50 raffle will benefit Camp Quinipet on Shelter Island. Only 500 tickets will be sold so make sure you get one (or a dozen)! Call the main office at Camp Quinipet at (631) 749-0430 for more information on ticket purchases. Cardone, the ultimate vaudeville magician, will surely amaze you. TV's favorite Ghouls Vlad and Creighton, stars of the Horror Kiddie Dance Show, Ghoul a Go-Go, will leave you scared silly.

The stage will host a lineup of unparalleled talent. The fabulous array of bands, vaudeville acts, Burlesque Girls, Go-Go Dancers and Ghouls will make this event the most memorable of the summer. The inimitable California band Los Straightjackets headline the show. This band is known for their stage presence, entertaining performances and interesting wardrobe choices (featuring wildly colorful pro-wrestling masks). On stage alongside Los Staightjackets will be the World Famous Pontani Sisters. This trio of beauties will perform a fun and bawdy burlesque act. Also onstage will be the rockin' Lone Sharks playing down home "rhythm n' twang" late into the night. Check out Joplin's Pearl, a Janis Joplin tribute show, which is sure to be great. The Original Moondogs will have you howling and the famous Go-Go cages will host the dancing talent of the too-cute Teenie Wahinis, The Shakin' Shamin's and the tantalizing Tempest Storms.

For just $5 you can enjoy a full day and night at the best party on the East End. The Shelter Island Beach Blast is a benefit for Quinipet Camp and Retreat and The Island Gift of Life Foundation. Quinipet has provided summer camp, retreats and environmental education to a variety of groups for the past 60 years. The unparalleled beauty of the camp, and the original lodges which date back as far as 1882, make Camp Quinipet a very special place. Camp Quinipet has been used as a progressive Christian overnight summer camp, a retreat center for thousands of guests per year, a community sailing center for youth and adults, summer day camp for Shelter Island children and unlimited other opportunities. Camp Quinipet is always looking to work with new groups and people. The Island Gift of Life Foundation is an East End organization that provides financial assistance and other related support services to patients with life-threatening illnesses. Founded on the basis of love and local support, The Island Gift of Life is an invaluable member of our community.

This is the 22nd year of the Shelter Island Beach Blast, and it is still the best kept secret on the East End. But ask anyone who's ever been to the Beach Blast and they will assure you that this is an event that is not to be missed. A true summer-time party, The Beach Blast is the perfect end to the season. The event is always held at Wades Beach on Shelter Island. This Saturday, September 8th make the trip over to peaceful Shelter Island and have a blast! Check out the Beach Blast website www.sibeachblast.com for more information. See you there!