Riverhead Gears Up for Long Island’s “Alive on 25” Summer Block Party, Vibrant Weekend July 18 and August 1

By Jessica Mcfadyen Last updated Jul 12, 2025

A wide-angle view of the iconic Big Duck, a giant white duck-shaped building located in Flanders near Riverhead, New York. This historic roadside attraction stands out with its bright white exterior, yellow beak, and black glass eyes that once doubled as windows. Surrounded by green trees and blue skies, the Big Duck is a beloved symbol of Long Island’s agricultural heritage and a popular photo stop for visitors exploring the East End. — The iconic Big Duck, a giant white duck-shaped building located near Riverhead, New York. This historic roadside attraction stands out with its bright white exterior, yellow beak, and black glass eyes that once doubled as windows. Surrounded by green trees and blue skies, the Big Duck is a beloved symbol of Long Island’s agricultural heritage and a popular photo stop for visitors exploring the East End. File photo: James Kirkikis, licensed.

RIVERHEAD, NY – Downtown Riverhead is set to come alive with “Alive on 25”, the annual summer street festival returning for its first of two nights this season. Running from 5 to 9 p.m. on July 18, with a rain date of August 22, the event kicks off a vibrant weekend packed with music, food, art, and family entertainment.

According to organizers at the Main Street Agency, “Alive on 25” transforms Main Street into a lively block party featuring:

Live music at over a dozen locations across the district, spanning genres like reggae, country, blues, jazz, and classic rock.
Special fireworks launched from a barge on the Peconic River after dark.
Craft beverages, with local breweries including Long Ireland Brewery, Twin Fork Brewing, Ubergeek Brewing, and Jamesport Farm Brewery hosting tastings.
Restaurant specials in downtown eateries and a reimagined “downtown crawl,” encouraging guests to explore local businesses, enjoy food to-go, and hop between music venues .
Artisan vendors and small-scale food trucks, with priority given to Riverhead-based vendors.
Family-friendly attractions including a car show (classic cars tonight and race cars on August 1), street pickleball, laser tag, kids’ activities, and Riverhead Raceway displays.

A second “Alive on 25” celebration is scheduled for August 1, from 5 to 9 p.m., maintaining the same lively formula but without fireworks.

Tickets are not required – both events are free to attend. Organizers advise guests to bring lawn chairs to enjoy performances comfortably across the downtown area .

This year marks a notable shift in approach. Under the leadership of the Main Street Agency, the event emphasizes local character and resident participation. Many downtown businesses are participating for free, a change from previous years when setup fees could reach $5,000. Vendor fees have also been reduced nearly 50%, and the number of food trucks has been limited to those owned by Riverhead residents.

With a renewed emphasis on community engagement and summer festivities, Alive on 25 promises a festive evening filled with music, family fun, and fireworks, bringing fresh energy to Riverhead’s downtown.

For more information visit: https://aliveon25.org