News

Summer picnic series under way

BARBARAELLEN KOCH PHOTO
Artist Christine Dupuis of Riverhead paints miniature seascapes at the town recreation department’s first riverfront picnic event last Thursday. The town plans to run a downtown picnic, complete with food, art and music, on the first Thursday of every month through September.

Got $8 and a lunch break to kill?

Head down to the riverfront boardwalk in Riverhead for some good eats, live music and a display of artwork. Bagged lunches are provided from local delis for $8 each.

The Riverhead Town Recreation Department on Thursday threw the first summer waterfront picnic of the season. Through September on the first Thursday of every month residents and visitors alike can enjoy local food, art and music along the Peconic River from noon to 2 p.m.

About 30 people showed up at the first picnic, according to organizers.

“The idea is just to encourage people to come downtown and eat their lunches down here,” said Danielle Doll, the department’s cultural affairs supervisor. “We’re hoping that even if it starts off slow, that word of mouth will spread and more and more people will be interested.”

At about 1 p.m. Thursday, there was a mix of people picnicking, from workers dining alone or at picnic tables filled with colleagues, to moms pushing strollers and perusing artist Christine Dupuis’ watercolor exhibit.

“If it’s a success, we’d like to do it a weekly basis,” Ms. Doll said.

MICHAEL WHITE