Pines Party 2015, benefiting the FIPPOA (Fire Island Pines Property Owners Association) Charitable Foundation and Stonewall Community Foundation, took place on July 25, on the beach at the far eastern end of the Pines. The theme was “Emerald City” and all favorite “Wizard of Oz” characters were there, strutting their stuff along a Yellow Brick Road runway. Music was by DJs Pagano and Steven Redant. Sources said that approximately 2,700 revelers were in attendance.
Nicole LaFountaine and Erin Stacy Visslaili came as Glinda the Good Witch. Laura Hartstein and Ron Blum were among the many Wicked Witches. Hal Hayes was an emerald sprite in ruby red boots. A plethora of Dorothy Gales in ruby slippers and muscular Cowardly Lions and Tin Woodsmen eased on down the road. One imaginative group came as the twister that transported Dorothy and her killer house from Kansas to Oz. Winged monkeys and guards with halberds and competing Lollipop Guilds abounded. Cherry Grove Guys Mike Fisher and Gary Sacks, and Dr. Anna Tirado and Henriette Von Woerkom Grul, who were all on the host committee, were in evidence. Empress Robin Kradles and entertainer Gary “Shequida” Hall were there. Acrobats in emerald green briefs dazzled the crowd with their feats. It was sensory overload to the max, as partygoers danced until dawn.