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Fourth of July celebrations in the Hamptons were kicked off
with the Southampton Fresh Air Home’s (SFAH) 20th annual
American Picnic at a private oceanfront home in Southampton.
Over 700 guests, including children of all ages, attended the
spectacular family event in a carnival setting with games and
prizes.
The beautiful clear evening was the perfect backdrop for an
amazing Grucci fireworks program set to patriotic music that
burst in air over Shinnecock Bay.
Seventeen year old Gabrielle Ross, who won 2006 Amateur Night
at the Apollo Theatre wowed the audience as she sang
‘Somewhere Over the Rainbow’. Southampton Mayor Mark Epley did
the traditional mayoral fireworks countdown. Eleven members of
the Grucci family, including Felix Grucci, Jr. orchestrated
the fireworks program.
Proceeds from the event represent approximately 40 percent of
the annual operating budget of the SFAH that has been at the
same location since 1901, 106 years! The site is a residential
camp for physically challenged children and young adults from
the tri-state area. The campers experience life by playing
golf and team sports, swimming and sailing, most of the
campers receive scholarships to enjoy a summer of joy and
laughter. |