The Cherry Grove Invasion of Fire Island Pines, on Independence Day, has been a fixture of the Fire Island summer calendar since its founding by Thom “Panzi” Hansen, now Arts Project of Cherry Grove (APCG) President, in 1976. But due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Invasion will not take place in 2020.
Cherry Grove Community Association, Inc. (CGCAI) President Diane Romano announced, in her daily email to CGCAI and Fire Island members and friends, on April 22, that, “Panzi our fearless leader of the Invasion, … spoke to both me and Jay Pagano, President of FIPPOA [Fire Island Pines Property Owners Association]. Sadly, we all agree that it will not be possible to have an ‘INVASION of the Pines’ this year. We will certainly have some sort of ‘safe’ celebration of July 4th in Cherry Grove.”
In an April 23 email to Fire Island Q News, confirming the cancellation, Panzi wrote, "Sad to say it is true. There are just too many people too close to each to responsibly have the Invasion as we know it. That being said we will do something simple and safe and creative to mark the day."