NOTE: Organizers of Out in Sayville/Fire Island Gay Pride canceled the event in 2009, but hope to return in 2010. What follows is a recap of the 2008 event, which is normally held in late May or early June.
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If you're not completely sure where Sayville, New York is, first think of Fire Island, the resort community of the coast of Long Island that's home to a pair of the most famous gay beach communities in the country, the Pines and Cherry Grove. Sayville is the closest mainlinad town to the gay section of Fire Island, and it's where you catch the ferry boat to the Pines and Cherry Grove. Since 2002, Sayville has also been holding a quite popular pride event, called Out in Sayville. The three-day celebration takes place in late May and comprises a number of fun events that take place both in Sayville and on Fire Island.
Here's a quick look at the events that made up Out in Sayville in 2008:
Out in Sayville Gay Pride begins the night of Friday with a Sayville Kickoff Party at the The Bunkhouse gay bar, at 192 N. Main St. - it's New York State's oldest gay bar, having opened in the mid-'70s. The party begins at 9 pm and runs into the late hours.
On Saturday, Sayville Gay Pride continues with the Out in Sayville brunch at the Sayville Inn (199 Middle Rd.), from 9:30 am until 11:30 am.
Later on Saturday, from 11:30 am until 3:30 pm, you can attend the Out in Sayville Music and Arts Festival, held at the Common Ground at Gillette Park in Sayville. The event features music by the Corrientes, Rorie Kelly, the New Country Singers, Eric's in Oregon, Sandy Rapp, and the Bunkhouse Idol winner.
On Sunday, the festivities move to Cherry Grove, across the bay on Fire Island. From 4:30 till 7:30 you can attend a Silent Auction and Tea Dance at Cherry's Bar (631-597-6699). Then later in the evening, from 9 until midnight, there's Drag-a-Go-Go at Cherry's Bar.
Sunday there's a Sayville Wrap-Up Party in Cherry Grove at the renowned Ice Palace, running from noon until well into the late afternoon and featuring a variety of events and presentations.
Of course, additionally, plenty of gay-popular restaurants, hotels, and shops will be extra busy during the weekend, and catering heavily to LGBT visitors. Check local gay papers, such as the Fire Island News and As The Grove Turns, for details.
