Clear skies and warm temperatures made for an ideal night, as families came out to Stephen E. Johnston Beach for an evening filled with food and entertainment at the second annual Tiki Invasion.
On Friday, July 21, Harbor Island Park was filled with tiki torches, a tiki bar and flower leis, as the beach was transformed into a tropical getaway for Mamaroneck and its surrounding communities.
The event was co-hosted by the village of Mamaroneck Recreation Department and Larchmont-Mamaroneck Community Television, LMCTV, a nonprofit organization that produces programs covering local politics and events throughout Mamaroneck, Larchmont and Rye Neck.
“Our idea was to celebrate community spirit and share the beauty of Harbor Island,” said Matt Sullivan, chief operating officer for LMCTV.
For the first Tiki Invasion, Sullivan said that LMCTV had gone to the village Recreation Department to discuss their vision for the event which included “a steel drum band, bonfire, food trucks and an outdoor film screening.”
The dream came to life last year and, now in its second year, has brought in more than 2,200 people.
“We really tried to let as many people know what was happening and I think it had a really wide reach, not just in Mamaroneck,” Sullivan said.
The event brought in three different food trucks for guests to choose from, including A Place to Go from New Rochelle, Abeetz from White Plains, and Road Grub Mobile from Yonkers. Along with the food, a tiki bar was set up with drinks donated by Molly Spillane’s bar and restaurant.
The beginning of the evening featured a live band performing cover songs on stage in front of the beach pavilion.
“The music is nice… it’s a beautiful night out,” said Kathy Hernandez, of Yonkers. “It doesn’t get any better than that.
Shipe Hajdari, of Greenwich, Connecticut, said she was excited for her first year at the Tiki Invasion. She enjoyed the comfort of her beach chair as her children went on stage to dance with the band.
Tatiana Palmisano, of Harrison, had come out with Hajdari and said she was happy “just to relax, have some fun [and] listen to the music.”
Along with the band, guests were treated to performances from a magician, a fire show, and a screening of “Moana.”
“I like it a lot this year because they’re playing ‘Moana,’ and my daughters love ‘Moana,’ so that’s a big draw,” said Ben Browning, of Mamaroneck.
Ryan Ballantyne, of Mamaroneck, said that this was his second year attending the Tiki Invasion, and that meeting up with his friends was one of the reasons he was excited for the event.
“I kind of like [the event] a little more this year, because of the movie,” he said.
Sullivan said they were impressed with the turnout, and have every intention of holding the Tiki Invasion next year.
Sullivan explained that this event is a great way for people to see what the Recreation Department and LMCTV are capable of doing. “We are here to service the community,” he said.
