Great South Bay Music Festival draws thousands

Buoyed by good weather and a star-studded lineup of entertainment, the 15th annual Great South Bay Festival drew thousands of fans for its four-day event last week.

The festival, which was held July 20 through July 23 at the Village of Patchogue’s Shorefront Park, couldn’t go on for two years during the COVID-19 pandemic, but this year’s event marked a successful comeback for the event’s organizers Jim Faith and Larry Weinberger.

Among the more than 60 acts that performed were big-named bands like Hot Tuna, Phil Lesh & Friends, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Dave Mason and many more.

There were four stages for entertainment, including one dedicated to acts for children. The festival also featured 50 vendors offering crafts and other items, and 20 food vendors. 

The presenting sponsor of the festival was Island Federal Credit Union, which donated a couple of dollars to the Long Island Cares the Harry Chapin Food Bank for every ticket sold. The festival’s organizers also donated $1 from every ticket to Stony Brook Cancer Center, which has so far received over $250,000 over the festival’s long affiliation with the center.