Long Island restaurants, businesses prep for summer crowds this holiday weekend

FREEPORT (WABC) -- The sounds of summer are starting to fill the air at the beaches of Long Island, but don't be fooled, there's a lot of work to do.

"Mostly just stocking the alcohol, stocking the food," Bracco's owner Jerry Bracco said. "Making sure we have enough ice, tons of ice."

Oh yes, the beer man is busy, but so is anyone who deals with food.

At Bracco's on the Nautical Mile, they're getting prepared for the rush of customers with bushels of crabs ready to go.

At Al Grover's Marina, they're also in deadline mode. Boats are being fine tuned, cleaned and put into the water.

"This is the push," Dante Grover said. "Memorial Day is the day everyone wants the boating season to start."

In order to be prepared for the holiday weekend, you must have your suntan lotion, your sunglasses and, of course, your fancy hats. The owner of Key West Outfitters in Bellmore says he is stocked and ready to go.

Now, all residents and business owners need is for the weather to cooperate.

But veteran Owen Fuchs urges folks not to forget what the weekend is about -- our military and those who have served.

It was 50 years ago that he returned home from fighting in Vietnam.

"It's a real heart-wrenching weekend," he said. "My heart goes out to all the boys who are buried in Pinelawn Cemetery, and God Bless all these kids who are over in these wars now. And God keep them safe, and let them do the right thing and come home in one piece."

And we hope you'll join us for our special "Kickoff to a Long Island Summer," Saturday at 7 p.m. on Channel 7, live from the Bethpage Air Show at Jones Beach, with everything from how to throw a perfect party to tours inside beach homes of the rich and famous.