Long Island Sound Celebration Days return with free events in Connecticut, NYC and Long Island

Free Long Island Sound events return to Connecticut, with additional celebrations just a day trip away in New York City and Long Island.

WESTPORT, Conn. — Long Island Sound will take center stage starting this weekend, as the Long Island Sound Partnership, Connecticut Sea Grant and New York Sea Grant bring back a series of free community events celebrating the region’s coastline, wildlife and communities.

For Connecticut residents, the featured in-state event will take place Friday, Aug. 14, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Sherwood Island State Park in Westport.

This story continues below.

Long Island Sound Celebrations Days follow the success of last year’s inaugural events and offer opportunities for people of all ages to learn more about the Sound through hands-on science, guided activities, arts and crafts and other experiences.

Connecticut event at Sherwood Island:

Visitors to Sherwood Island State Park can explore Long Island Sound through guided hikes, hands-on science activities, arts and crafts, casting practice, giveaways and more.

The activities will focus on the habitats and wildlife found throughout the Sound while giving visitors a chance to enjoy the shoreline. The event will be held at East Beach, no registration is required. Questions about the Connecticut event can be directed to Maggie Cozens at Margaret.Cozens@UConn.edu.

New York events offer additional day trip options:

While Connecticut’s Sherwood Island event is the closest option for residents across the state, the celebration continues with two additional events in New York that could provide an easy day trip opportunity for Connecticut families and Sound enthusiasts.

On Saturday, Aug. 15, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., an event in Oyster Bay, Long Island, will offer boat trips, kayaking, fishing, hands-on science activities, arts and crafts and other activities highlighting ways people can enjoy and protect Long Island Sound.

Check-in will be in front of the Waterfront Center at 1 West End Ave. Free parking is available at Beekman Beach. Advance registration is required for the Oyster Bay event.

On Saturday, Aug. 22, from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., a guided boat tour will be offered from Randall’s Island in New York City.

The tour will feature five stops and stories about the Sound’s history, biology and importance while participant’s experience the coastal ecosystem firsthand. Space will be limited for the Randall’s Island event and registration is required.

The events also mark the anniversary of the effort that helped establish the Long Island Sound Partnership.

On Aug. 15, 1985, the U.S. Environmental Protection agency, Connecticut and New York came together aboard a research vessel to tour areas of Long Island Sound and announce funding to study pollution and water quality challenges affecting the estuary.

That effort helped established the collaborative work that continues today through the Long Island Sound Partnership. The meeting spot for this event is at Ferry Dock, Harlem River Pathway, New York, New York. Space is limited and registration is required. Register here.

“Long Island Sound is something we all share, and these events give people a chance to experience it in different ways,” said Jimena Perez-Viscasillas, Long Island Sound Partnership outreach coordinator and organizer of the Oyster Bay event.

Questions about this event can be directed to Jimena Perez-Viscasillas at Jbp255@cornell.edu.

Organizers said they hope visitors leave the events with a stronger connection to the Sound and a better understanding of why protecting the estuary remains important. All Celebration Days are free and open to the public, although some activities require advance registration.

Tim Paul is a digital content producer at FOX61 news. He can be reached at TPaul@FOX61.com

Tags: