Unbeknownst to many, Patchogue’s Alive After Five festival series expanded its footprint this summer onto North Ocean Avenue.
And the last chance to enjoy the experience is this Thursday, Aug. 23.
“It’s a best-kept secret,” says David Kennedy, the executive director of the Greater Patchogue Chamber of Commerce, which runs Alive After Five. “All these new businesses have opened up on North Ocean Avenue these past couple of years and this is the perfect venue to showcase them.”
So, just north of Main Street is an on-street pen with plenty of beer flowing from Catch Oyster Bar.
There’s also craft vendors and booths from North Ocean business such as The Float Place, Freezology and Patchogue Wellness Center.
Lastly, the popular jam band Soundswell performs right on the street.
“We’ve got Soundswell playing right across the pen and we’re doing clams and cans, clams on the half shell and cans of beer,” said Catch’s owner, Mike Avino.
“A little raw bar, music and something to wash it down.”
Regulars at the Blue Point Brewery and the Great South Bay Music Festival, the Patchogue-based Soundswell had never performed at Alive After Five before this summer.
“We feel like pioneers in a place that was roped off for years and used for parking emergency equipment,” said Soundswell’s bassist, Keenan Boyle. “We’ve always wanted to be part of this festival because we love the energy of the crowd.
“There have been so many friends dropping by to listen and grab food and drinks from Catch that it feels just like a big block party. Our practice space is located directly behind the oyster bar so we get to just wheel our equipment over and jam.”
Kennedy said the local emergency workers, who would typically stage in this area of the festival, were all gracious about moving elsewhere to expand the festival north.
Find out more:
It’s summer’s last Alive After Five in Patchogue; here’s what to know
