The Tale of the T-Shirt: Fair Harbor Celebrates 100 Years

It was July of 2023 and summer in Fair Harbor was chugging along smoothly with only the usual interruptions from deer in the garbage and sharks in the ocean when someone found an old t-shirt. That in itself was not unusual, as Fair Harbor is known as a destination for old clothes. But this shirt was a Fair Harbor t-shirt that said, “Since 1923.” Could it have really been the town’s 100th anniversary? And since what, being established? Founded? Named? 

 Judy Corcoran, President of the Fair Harbor Community Association (FHCA), called the Town of Islip to find out if it was true. The very helpful Town Historian didn’t know. So then she turned to Facebook, that stalwart of truth and information, to confirm the 1923 date. Lori Ferraro, the retired Superintendent of the Fire Island school, said indeed, 1923 is the official date. 

 The FHCA quickly teamed with the Fair Harbor Fire Department to have a party in July, with drinks, pork sliders, and cake. The whole town turned out. Free cake will do that. 

 But Corcoran wanted to properly celebrate Fair Harbor’s Centennial milestone so she announced a fund-raising event on Memorial Day 2024 as the finale of the year-long celebration. 

 Over the winter, she called for photos from the summer of 2023 and more that 50 people submitted some 400 photos that turned into the 2023 Fair Harbor Photo Book, a beautiful 74-page book the FHCA now sells. And she announced the Fair Harbor Centennial Comedy Show on Memorial Day weekend, with standup comics, Jason Salmon and Mia Jackson.

 Someone suggested she also honor the long-time residents who served the FHCA, the community and the FH Fire Department. So she turned the show’s program into a 64-page book with interviews of 29 people, some Fair Harbor history, and a never-published letter written by Dunewood’s Murray Barbash, who, along with Irving Like, is credited with leading the fight to save Fire Island from the 4-lane highway proposed by Robert Moses. 

And finally, Vanessa Holden and Judy designed their own T-shirt, which says, “Fair Harbor, a barefoot community since 1923.” The shirt, Program, Photo Book and sold-out Comedy Show all raised money for the FHCA, which funds the lifeguard program at the bay beach, tends the children’s playground, runs Kids Movie night, and supports other projects and services in the town that aren’t covered by the Town of Islip.   

To purchase the Fair Harbor 2023 photo book, click here. Sorry, the t-shirts are sold out.