Patchogue Bids Summer Farewell With Foam Party

The Village of Patchogue is hosting a last hurrah for summer with its Village Dance and Foam Party on Friday, Aug. 28, at Shorefront Park.

Combining DJ dance music with wet and wild foam action, the free family event runs from 7-9 p.m. at the bandshell located at 49 Smith St. Rain cancels the festivities.

“The foam party is something new. We started it last year, and it was a total, total hit,” said Parks and Recreation Director Maria Giustizia. “A lot of families come out,” she said, estimating a “few hundred easily.”

Kids often arrive ready to get wet with bathing suits and towels as cannons fill the scene with enough foam to leave them knees, or even waist, deep in fun.

While the dance party dates back more than 15 years, the foam component was the more recent brainchild of former municipal tennis instructor Melissa Lewando. She offers this event to Patchogue without charge through her business Foam LI business. According to her website, the foam is safe, biodegradable and hypoallergenic. It also comes in white like a cloud, bright colors and glow in the dark.

Another local connection is Al Milite, a retired music teacher from Patchogue-Medford School District and co-owner of Albert Lee Music in East Patchogue. As the DJ, he'll set the beat with contemporary children’s music and dance hits like The Macarena and Chicken Dance as well as limbo and hula hoop.

“It’s a great way to end the summer, a lot of music, dancing, games and hula hoop on the stage.” said Giustizia. “It’s two hours of a lot of fun and all about the kids.” But she added that parents often can’t resist joining in,