Asharoken Finalizes Fireworks Contract with Grucci

The Asharoken Village Board recently finalized a $17,500 contract with Brookhaven-based Fireworks by Grucci for this year's Fourth of July fireworks display.

Grucci is a five-generation family business dating back to 1850. They have produced glittering displays at seven consecutive U.S. presidential inaugurations; the Olympic Games in Beijing, Salt Lake City, Los Angeles, and Lake Placid; the Centennial of the Statue of Liberty, and the grand opening of the Atlantis Dubai and The Palm Jumeirah resorts in the United Arab Emirates.

Mayor Gregory Letica thanked resident Martin Hakker for sourcing the fireworks and working out all of the details. He also thanked everyone who donated to the village's Save the Fireworks fund for helping defray the cost of the display.

Carol Cassamassima, Chair of the Save the Fireworks Committee, presented the village with a $3,500 check at the last Board meeting. Cassamassima did a great job, said Letica, considering that the committee's holiday party fundraiser was cancelled due to Hurricane Sandy.

The fireworks will be launched from a barge on the sound side of Asharoken Avenue and will begin at 9:15 p.m. The rain date is July 5.

Breakwater Marine is providing the barge for the fireworks at a cost of $3,500 and a tugboat at a cost of $5,000.