Alive after Five

My friends have been trying to get me to go to this for years, but I’m not all that interested in fests, so I stayed away. Trying to be more open this summer, I decided to give it a try, and have been there twice so far this summer. Loved it!
There was a ton of great music, and perfectly spaced throughout the fest. You didn’t have to go far at all to find a new band, and they didn’t overlap each other. I definitely was able to appreciate the music, and a few bands I probably wouldn’t have bothered to try on my own.
Plenty of food trucks, bars, vendors, and things to do! You can pop in to one of the restaurants for a bite to eat, hit up a beer field for a drink, or grab some fest food at one of the trucks! If you’re in a shopping mood, there are PLENTY of vendors. Worth bringing the kids out for a night as well.
My only complaint would have to be the trolley that picks and drops off at St. Joseph’s College. There is only one, and it runs every half hour. Only fits 26 people, which was annoying. No idea why they wouldn’t just bring a bus, but last night’s fest was definitely an issue with the trolley. Too many people were left standing in the parking lot waiting for the next ride. I think my friends and I had to wait an hour. Next time, I’m either walking or attempting to park somewhere near the village.
All in all, a great time. Can’t wait to go back in two weeks!

I really enjoy alive after five because while Port Jefferson is having a dog costume parade, Patchogue is having a street music and drinking fest! Nice! It is uncommon for stuff like this to happen any more. I particularly enjoy the banning of unaccompanied under 18 year olds so you do not have these kids being annoying and vandalizing stuff. Do yourself a favor and just park somewhere far away and walk it. It does get quite crowded and you will spend more time in traffic finding your spot.

Festivities, bands, vendors, blah blah blah. It’s nice that they did this, something to do in the Summer. All the streets are blocked off, and I can’t help but wonder how the people that actually live around there feel about this.
My gripe is that it’s a bit overcrowded. It can literally take you 10+ minutes to find a parking spot. If you’ve come with a group of people in separate cars, I hope you aren’t expecting to see them again that night. God only knows where THEY found a spot while you found yours.
All the kids and drinking, I have to say, is a nightmare waiting to happen. I think someone finally got stabbed last Friday. I say «finally» because I can’t believe it took this long to happen.
All in all, a few stilt walkers or fire breathers would really make this event shine.
Oh, they had a rock wall too.

Generally speaking, I’m not a fan of fests I got over them several years ago. However, I do go it’s one of those compromises you make as a husband. I go expecting the worst, hoping for the best. It’s the big crowds, the price of everything is usually jacked, it’s always disgustingly hot, etc…
Alive after 5 is free, The local restaurants represent open air style. There is a street food presence. lots of junk vendors (cheap sunglasses, incense, etc.) someone’s capitalizing on a big chair. They set up the aforementioned big chair you pay 5 $ to sit in it and you get to take the picture too. (Wow! I have to work for a living? I need to meet this big chair entrepreneur he needs to be my life coach.)
There’s a lot of music between the bands and the stereos from the radio station vans or opened restaurants. Yes, i didn’t like any of the music. The idiot kids running amok bugged me, the stinky old patchouli hippies irritated me-Let’s be real, there’s an odd demographic collected here… I’m not a festival people person.
But, If you like festivals and all the bad stuff that goes with it. (ie a 17 year old stabbing a festival security guard.) Alive After 5 village of Patchogue is the heat. However, if you are a stick in the mud like me go for like 10 min. check out the hot chics in booty shorts, get a Zeppole, a Gyro, and an Ice from Ralph’s and call it a day.
PS parking looks bad as there are so many vehicles but it didn’t take long to find a spot.

Kicking off the 2009 summer season on Friday, July 17^th, Alive After Five continues on Fridays July 24^th, August 7^th and 14^th. AAF is good for peoplewatchin’ and meanderin’ down the middle of the ‘choguian thoroughfare whiles the sun goes down. Bookmark and tailgate it.