The community is gearing up for another Epiphany Tree Burning to ring in the new year.
The town’s annual tradition of setting the holiday trees ablaze will take place on Saturday, Jan. 6 at Riverhead Beach. Last year, hundreds gathered at the beach to see the fiery show, put on by the Fire Department.
After Christmas trees are taken down in households and thrown to the curb, the Department of Public Works collects and brings them to Riverhead, where they wait to be engulfed by flames.
The tradition ran in town for decades until it was stopped for an eight-year period before Fire Chief Jason Gilliland brought it back in 2015.
Trees will be picked up curbside now until Jan. 6. Those who wish to have their trees picked up must strip trees of lights, tinsel, and ornaments. Trees cannot be placed in plastic bags, and any trees that do not comply will not be picked up.
After Jan. 6, trees should be brought to the transfer station