HUNTINGTON, NY – July 19, 2026
The music of Harry Chapin filled Heckscher Park as musicians and fans gathered for the annual “Just Wild About Harry” tribute concert at the Chapin Rainbow Stage. Part of the Town of Huntington’s Summer Arts Festival, the free community event was organized by longtime producer Stuart Markus, with promotional support from the Folk Music Society of Huntington under the leadership of President Michael Kornfeld. The evening brought together nearly three dozen Long Island performers, each offering their own interpretation of songs by the Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter, humanitarian, and anti-hunger advocate.
Opening the concert, Markus reflected on the special significance of holding the tribute in Harry Chapin’s hometown.
“It is so great to be able to do this show in the town where Harry lived,” Markus told the crowd. “I know he was considered almost a son by so many people here, or a brother, and certainly a friend by very, very many people here.”
For many in attendance, Chapin’s connection to Huntington remains deeply personal. A longtime resident, he was known not only for his music but for his unwavering commitment to fighting hunger and serving others through the founding of Long Island Cares, an organization that continues his mission more than four decades later.
Kornfeld shared his own memories of first seeing Chapin perform in Huntington in the early 1970s and recalled attending many of his concerts over the years. He also spoke of being Harry’s guest at what would become the singer-songwriter’s final concerts in London in 1981.
“Forty-five years ago last week, as we all know, we lost Harry tragically in that car accident,” Kornfeld said. “But his music lives on, and that’s why we’re all here tonight.”
More than a concert, the evening celebrated the enduring impact Harry Chapin had on both music and the Huntington community. Attendees were encouraged to donate nonperishable food for Long Island Cares, the food bank Chapin founded in 1980, continuing a tradition that reflects his belief that music and community can inspire positive change. Timeless songs including Taxi, Cat’s in the Cradle, Flowers Are Red, and Mr. Tanner served as a reminder that Harry Chapin’s legacy remains deeply woven into the fabric of Huntington, where his music, generosity, and commitment to helping others continue to inspire generations.
Learn about the Harry Chapin Foundation.
Photography by Volunteer Contributor Clyde Berger.
