A spectacular fireworks display off the coast of New London drew a sellout crowd aboard Cross Sound Ferry’s John H. last night, for the ferry company’s annual benefit fireworks cruise.
The fireworks show is part of New London’s annual Sailfest, a three-day event on the New London waterfront featuring tall ships, live music, vendors and amusement rides. Produced by the Garden State Fireworks Co. and sponsored by the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation, the 30-minute Sailfest fireworks show, choreographed to music, is the fourth-largest in the northeast, according to Sailfest organizers.
Last night’s fireworks cruise was the 25th annual benefit fireworks cruise hosted by Cross Sound Ferry Services — an event that’s raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for local charities across the East End, according to the company. It was broadcast live by WLNG/92.1 FM.
The beneficiaries of this year’s event was the Timothy Hill Children’s Ranch in Riverhead, as well as annual scholarship funds for Greenport, Southold and Mattituck-Cutchogue school districts. Aboard the John H. last night with family members were the Rev. Jerry and Fern Hill, founders of the 34-year-old nonprofit residential facility for children, which operates on a 70-acre campus in Riverhead.
The ferry company has been a supporter of the ranch for more than a decade, Jerry Hill said, with its support including donated ferry tickets to all passengers heading to the Timothy Hill retreat in Massachusetts.
“We really appreciate the support for our organization,” Hill told WLNG’s Gary Sapiane. “And this is a such a wonderful event,”
SoutholdLOCAL photos by Katie Blasl and Peter Blasl
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