Riverhead Officials Debate Future of Alive on 25 Festival Amid Cost Concerns
The Alive on 25 street festival in Riverhead is facing uncertainty as town officials debate its future due to concerns over costs and its impact on downtown commerce. Diane Tucci, the event organizer, has expressed urgency in planning this year's festival, noting that the window to organize is closing rapidly. The festival, which began in 2016, was modeled after Patchogue's Alive After Five series and aims to boost local businesses by attracting tourism. However, Riverhead Supervisor Jerry Halpin has indicated that feedback from business groups suggests the festival may not significantly drive downtown commerce. Despite this, Councilman Kenneth Rothwell argues that the event is beneficial for showcasing the town's ongoing development. The festival's expenses, particularly for police services, have been a point of contention, with suggestions to reduce the festival's footprint to cut costs.