Great South Bay Music Festival prepared for weather extremes, organizer says

The Great South Bay Music Festival is underway at Shorefront Park in Patchogue, with opening night drawing over 6,000 people to see local heroes Taking Back Sunday headline the main stage.

Friday promises a rock-reggae lineup that consists of Project Vibe, J Boog, the Elovaters, plus Damian and Stephen Marley, sons of late reggae legend Bob Marley. However, it’s hot outside with temperatures over 90 degrees plus high humidity. But the GSB crew says it's prepared.

"We have misters for people to go through on the bridge that we set up where people can cool off and we will start handing out bottled water if it gets really hot," festival founder/promoter Jim Faith says, "But this is the coolest spot-on the island because there’s a heavy breeze that comes off the water."

Additionally, there will be plenty of water available for everyone in the crowd, he says.

"We bring in a water buffalo from the town of Brookhaven near the front entrance that’s always there for people to refill their bottles," Faith adds. "People are also allowed to come in with a sealed bottle of water."

In case of rain, the show still goes on as planned.

"If it rains, it’ll be a regular day just like it would be at Jones Beach and we just go forward," Faith says. "We have tarps that cover the main soundboard."

Thunderstorms are being predicted for later Friday.

"If it gets bad and there’s lightning, we meet with the fire marshal, security and the village mayor backstage to decide what to do," Faith says. "Right now, the skies are clear, but we’ll see. There’s not much else we can do."

Saturday will feature jam bands on the Main Stage with Kerry Kearney, New Or-Lin’s Gumbo, Eggy, Pigeons Playing Ping Pong and Umphrey’s McGee, concluding with a two-hour set from moe.

Sunday blends yacht rock (Ambrosia, Yacht Rock Revue) and New Wave (Depeche Mode tribute Strangelove, Naked Eyes and Men at Work). Additionally, WLIR will get inducted into the Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame at 8:15 p.m. before Men at Work’s set.

For more information, call 631-331-0808 or visit: greatsouthbaymusicfestival.com.

By David J. Criblez

david.criblez@newsday.comDavidJCriblez

David J. Criblez is a reporter for Newsday's exploreLI, covering entertainment-related events from local music to stand-up comedy to festivals.