The Clamshell Foundation Hosting 36th Annual Great Bonac Fireworks Show

The Great Bonac Fireworks Show will be returning for its 36th anniversary on Saturday, July 16th at 9:30 p.m. This three decade long tradition is staged each summer over Three Mile Harbor in East Hampton. It was just a few years ago when the tradition almost faded into history, but in 2009, the East Hampton-based Clamshell Foundation revived the popular event.

Bonac traditionally refers to an area called Springs in East Hampton. Many of the original Bonac families in Springs were among the very early settlers of the town; Bonackers made their living as baymen, fishermen, and farmers.

Founded in 1992, The Clamshell Foundation is a non-profit organization that donates 100 percent of all profits from events the organization produces to the people, programs and projects of the Town of East Hampton. Past recipients include The East Hampton Dory Rescue Squad, Toys for Tots, the Red Cross, local food pantries, shellfish programs, and annual environmental education scholarships to East Hampton High School students.

The Grucci’s of New York will stage the fireworks production over 3 Mile Harbor. They are a fifth-generation, family-owned and operated company based on Long Island. They design, produce and display over 300 performances annually, all around the world. They are the “Top Name in Fireworks in the World” and their credits attest to this, with seven consecutive U.S. Presidential inaugurations from Reagan to Bush, the Olympics in Lake Placid 1981, Los Angeles 1985 and the world’s largest fireworks program ever produced, which was for the grand opening of Dubai’s Palm Jumeirah, and the Atlantis Palm Resort to name a few.

Great viewing locations for the Hamptons show include the beaches at Maidstone Park and Sammy’s Beach, Gann Road, or any other beach off of Hands Creek Road, and Springy Banks Road as well as the head of 3 Mile Harbor. There are also restaurants in the area (like East Hampton Point) that will provide an exceptional viewing spot, but no matter where you decide to watch from, go early because the spaces will fill up quickly! Or maybe you want to come over by boat and anchor in the harbor, it’s a very unique experience.

For more information about the event, or the Clamshell Foundation, visit
clamshellfoundation.org.