Under the Big Tent Festival makes triumphant return

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After a hiatus caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the annual Under the Big Tent Festival is back! A day of free music, food, and fun on the grounds of Bay Shore’s First Baptist Church, the event on Saturday, July 13 was fun for the whole family.

The first festival was held in 2014 and was co-sponsored by the First Baptist Church and the Great South Bay YMCA, which have remained co-sponsors of the event ever since.

“I had gotten to know church member and longtime activist Mary Reid many years ago when we both served on the Bay Shore Brightwaters Summit Council. I proposed the idea of doing an event on the church grounds,” explained Susan Barbash, who has been a member of the YMCA Board of Trustees for over 30 years. “My feeling was that everything fun shouldn’t always take place on Main Street and the waterfront. Bay Shore is a big, diverse place with lots of neighborhoods. I felt that this neighborhood was being overlooked. This little corner of Bay Shore is a hidden gem.”

After years of success, then the hiatus, Under the Big Tent was back in full swing from noon to 3:30 p.m. on Saturday. Pastor Dixon Clark got the party started by welcoming all attendees to the church grounds. The festival featured free ice cream for kids, food trucks, a Great South Bay YMCA Fun Zone, hands-on workshops at the Seatuck Environmental Association booth, a performance by Jester Jim, arts and crafts, and so much more.

A highlight of the day was the Island Symphony Orchestra’s performance of Leopold Mozart’s “Hunting Symphony.” During the orchestra’s performance, talented dogs from Paws of War aided the orchestra by barking on command to the music.

The local organization Paws of War provides service and support dogs, plus training, to veterans and first responders. Since 2014, the organization has brought more than 600 dogs and cats rescued by troops serving overseas to safety in the U.S. Paws of War has also provided hundreds of veterans with service and support dogs rescued from kill shelters.

The adorable Paws of War dogs were adorable musicians during the performance, obediently and patiently waiting for their cues to bark.

With the event being a big success, Under the Big Tent is sure to be here to stay.

“It was so gratifying that we received so much support from our sponsors and participants,” added Barbash. “Everyone was thrilled to be back.”