Sundown festival to replace Alive After Five

The Greater Patchogue Chamber Young Professionals group are planning to host a family festival this year called Sundown Festival, a family event. The event will feature live entertainment and family-focused activities to go along with food, craft and merchandise vendors.
According to Young Professionals chairman Stephen King, the planning is being done by several chamber committees, which will make for a diverse event with live music, art, dining and entertainment.
“There is going to be something for everyone,” he promised, also hinting at a petting zoo.
The event is tentative and awaiting approvals from Suffolk County and possibly New York State, depending on requirements. Restaurants will be permitted outdoor table service dining and retailers are encouraged to set up booths.
“We feel confident we will get the needed approvals,” said chamber executive director David Kennedy. “Every year, there’s an audience that says we need more family-friendly events, and here we are. This is it—get out there and enjoy it!”
The event will ultimately replace Alive After Five for this season. Alive After Five, Kennedy promised, will be back in 2022. The dates to be repurposed include Thursdays, July 22, Aug. 5 and Aug. 19, with a rain date set aside for Aug. 26 if needed. The Village of Patchogue approved the dates for the reworked event earlier this week.
Hopes for a “truer” Alive After Five seem to be dwindling as time becomes slim to plan, said Kennedy.
“I think that the chamber and restaurant committee are being very creative as to how to get back into events on Main Street,” said mayor Paul Pontieri, approving of the new event. “Does it take us back to Alive After Five? Possibly. Or maybe we continue in this manner. Only time will tell.”