Seymour’s Boatyard hosts Rock the Boat fundraiser, followed by free community concert

To celebrate 100 years in business – and help support a meaningful organization – Seymour’s Boatyard in Northport Village is hosting its “Rock the Boat” event on Saturday, July 1 at 3pm to raise funds for Paws of War. With a mission to train and place support dogs with military veterans suffering from the emotional and physical effects of war, the nonprofit helps veterans gain independence, and rescues dogs from kill shelters.

“We want to really encourage people to purchase tickets to the event because all proceeds will go to Paws of War,” Dave Weber, boatyard owner and general manager, told the Journal. “Seymour’s has historically held fundraisers for first responders and veterans; this year we will have the Paws of War representatives at the event and we really want to give back so they can fulfill their mission in helping both ends of the leash.”

Weber said Paws of War is especially meaningful to him because it has extended its mission to help first responders, a position he has firsthand experience with as a volunteer firefighter. He’s also a proud dog owner. “There’s no stigma attached to owning a dog, and the therapy you get from having a service dog is extremely valuable,” he explained.

The fundraiser at Seymour’s is a continuation of an event that Cow Harbor Warriors held there for several years. This is the first fundraiser at the boatyard since Covid, Weber said. It will be military-themed and family-friendly, with a DJ and free tickets for kids under 15.

Two-hundred tickets will be sold for the fundraiser, to allow for enough room on the boatyard’s dock, and attendees will have access to an Army food truck, ice cream truck, beverages by Twisted Cow Distillery and Mengler Family Wines. Each ticket also comes with an entry into each event raffle, which includes a dinner cruise for six on Just Us Cruising Charters, a gift certificate to R&S Meat Market, dinner for two at Salted on the Harbor, and a personalized painting of the harbor with your dog.

The Rock the Boat event is the pre-party for a free community concert that’s sponsored by Seymour’s in gratitude for their century in business within Northport Village. “We are hoping that all the people at our pre-party will walk over to the park for the 7:30pm concert,” which is meant to “give back to the community,” Weber said. The eight-member band and star of the evening’s concert, 45rpm, plays at venues all over Long Island, but has never performed in Northport.

“They are a fun band that will have you dancing and singing every word to every song. There’s not one song you won’t know,” Weber promised.

To purchase tickets for the Rock the Boat pre-party event, click here. Tickets cost $150, with all proceeds going to Paws of War. The 45rpm concert begins at 7:30pm and is free to the public. Attendees are encouraged to make a small donation to Paws of War.