Top Long Island Summer Events of the Week

As part of our 2012 Long Island Summer Guide, each Wednesday we'll spotlight the major beach and outdoor events coming up across the island. Here's what's on tap in the coming week: 

The Belmont Stakes
I'll Have Another runs for the first Triple Crown since 1978 at the Belmont Stakes on Saturday, June 9. General admission tickets into the Belmont Racetrack are $10. First post on Belmont Stakes Day is 11:35 a.m. The big race is set to go off at 6:40 p.m.

Long Island Pride Parade/Festival
The Long Island Pride Parade will be held along Main Street in Huntington Village on Saturday, June 9. The parade starts at 1 p.m. and begins along New York Avenue and ends at the Heckscher Park entrance. The parade draws more than 5,000 spectators, making it one of the largest GLBT parades outside of New York City. Arrive early to find the best view! A festival will also be held this year at Heckscher Park. The event, which begins at noon and ends at 8 p.m., will feature live performances on the Harry Chapin Rainbow Stage, beer and wine tasting and a food court. 

Law Enforcement Special Olympics Torch Run
The Suffolk and Nassau county legs of the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics will meet up at Farmingdale State College on Thursday, June 7. Officers and Special Olympics athletes will run into the ceremony, which runs from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., together. The Law Enforcement Torch Run is the largest grassroots fund-raiser and public awareness vehicle for Special Olympics in the world. 

Third Annual Hands For Hope 5K Race/Walk for Charity
The Third Annual Hands for Hope 5K Race/Walk for Charity takes place on Saturday, June 9, at the Patchogue Pavilion at Shore Front Park on Smith Street in Patchogue. This year's event will benefit Brian, a first-grader at River Elementary School in Patchogue, who suffers from Recessive Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa, a devastating disease that causes the skin to blister and break causing wounds similar to those suffered by burn victims. The race/walk begins at 9 a.m. Please arrive early to register and/or check-in. Strollers, wheelchairs, wagons and families are welcome. Refreshments to follow the race at the Pavilion. Student Rate: $20 day of race or Adult/Non-Student Rate: $25.

Sounds of Summer-Outasight at Tanger Outlets
Tanger Outlets at the Arches in Deer Park will kick off its 2012 summer concert season on Saturday, June 9. Local New York sensation Outasight will take the stage at the Arches Fountain from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. for the first concert of Tanger's popular Sounds of Summer Concert Series. The singer and rapper from Yonkers will pump up the crowd in the first free show of the Summer playing his top hits including "Tonight is the Night" and "Now or Never."  

Fifth Annual Ducks Unlimited Striped Bass Tournament
The fifth annual Ducks Unlimited Striped Bass Tournament will be held again at the Star Island Yacht Club in Montauk on Saturday, June 9. The eligible fishing area are all waters east of a line from Shinnecock Inlet northward to Mattituck Inlet. It benefits the Ducks Unlimited's wetlands restoration programs. Cash prizes, first- through third-place trophies, junior angler trophies will be given out. The entry fee of $250 per boat includes tickets to the captain's meeting on June 8 at 7 p.m., and tickets to the awards buffet and live auction on June 9 at 5 p.m. The rain date is June 10.

18th Annual Fine Arts Show
The City of Long Beach Fine Arts Show will be held on Saturday and Sunday, June 9 and 10, at Kennedy Plaza on Park Avenue in Long Beach. The show, now in its eighteenth year, will showcase new and returning artists who will display and sell their original works of art. The unique selection of fine arts includes paintings, drawings, sculpture, photography and mixed media. Awards will be presented to artists on June 9 in each medium as well as one for Best in Show. Live musical entertainment, sponsored by the Long Beach Public Library, will take place both afternoons on the plaza, and the Long Beach Farmers' Market will be on site from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The LICC 1st Annual Fishing Tournament and Family Dock Day
Enjoy an unbelievably fun day at Inspiration Wharf in Port Washington to benefit the Long Island Crisis Center. The first annual Bluefish and Striped Bass Fishing Tournament will kick off for anglers Friday, June 8, at 5 p.m., and end with last weigh-in on Saturday, June 9, at 3 p.m. There'll also be a huge Family Fun day Saurday on the water from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Inspiration Wharf, located at 405 Main Street in Port Washington.

Armenian American Night
Nassau County and Canon USA will be hosting a series of “International Music Nights” at Eisenhower Park’s Lakeside Theatre throughout the Summer. This year’s line up includes 20 concerts that feature themed music from across the world starting at 7:30 p.m. Armenian American night will be held on Friday, June 8. 

Belmont Festival
The 15th annual Belmont Festival in Garden City will return to Seventh Street on Friday evening, June 8 from  6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Entertainment, live music and plenty of activities for the youngsters are planned, and as always, great food! Back by popular demand will be young dancers from Garden City’s Broadway Bound Dance Center and the Step Dancers from the Fitzpatrick Academy of Irish Dancers. The Festival’s five great bands include the Fivestone Rock Band, Jerry and the Newcomers, the New Vintage Orchestra, Speak Easy and The Village Music Makers. Restaurants compete for the best wings in the Wing-Off Competition!