EDGE Provincetown

Poseidon, the god of the sea, may be the most creative of the triumvirate that ruled the universe of the Greek deities. Elder brother Zeus may have been the big man on Mt. Olympus; and his dour other brother Hades, ruled the Underworld. But Poseidon got to live in a palace of gems and coral, frolic with sea nymphs and travel in a chariot driven by seahorses.

Fire Island Pines is surrounded by water. Visitors and residents have learned to approach the sea (in this case, the Atlantic Ocean) with a healthy respect for its regenerative and potentially destructive powers. That’s why the 2010 edition of Pines Party, to take place Saturday, July 31, has such special meaning.

Ever since 1999, when Arabian Nights gave dancers the spectacle of a tent city arising along the shore like a magical Middle Eastern genii’s creation, this party has set the bar ever higher for the innovative way it implements the annual theme. Poseidon marks the 12th iteration of this all-night mega-beach event. It’s only fitting that Fire Islanders, who acknowledge every day the mysterious, powerful and beautiful world that lies such a short distance from every single home, should pay tribute to the personification of the ocean.

The god is the perfect symbol for the party in another way. Just as the sea yields up its bounty for all to enjoy, Pines Party has set forth its proceeds to help others. The party benefits the FIPPOA Charitable Trust, a local community organization, and the Stonewall Community Foundation. SCF was founded in 1990 with seed money from investment banker and Pines resident Jim Pepper. In the decade since, the organization has disbursed over $14 million in grant money. Pines Party has enabled SCF to give seed money to numerous worthwhile but hungry LGBT, AIDS and community organizations, such as Immigration Equality, the Callen-Lorde Community Health Center, the Ali Forney Center for homeless youth, the Anti-Violence Project, and Gay Men’s Health Crisis.

The last-named group, which has received three Pines Party-related grants since 1999, is particularly appropriate. GMHC was the beneficiary of the Morning Party, the gigantic beach party that ran from the mid-’80s through 1998. Unfortunately, the Morning Party fell prey to bad publicity from the misbehavior of a few. The organization abjured the party, and it was decided to end it.

The next year, the community, led by homeowner Richard Winger, decided to have an all-night extravaganza to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Beach, the 1979 party that remains the most famous such event ever to take place on Fire Island. Beach was also significant because it marked the coming-together of all segments of the Pines: It might have been an all-night disco party, but it benefited the volunteer Fire Department.

It is that spirit of bringing in all segments of a diverse community - young, old, straight, gay - together in celebration. This year, there will once again be a gambling tent. And members of the community give generously to sponsor private tents that face each other in an elegant line along the shore leading out from the massive dance floor.

In fact, each year, Pines Party serves to foster unity. In a community world famous for housing some of most creative and artistic talents from New York and points beyond, the party enables fashion designers, home decorators, stylists, fine and graphic artists, lighting and sound experts, chefs and restaurateurs, and everyone in between to contribute.

This year, that theme of unity goes one step farther - several steps, in fact, all the way to the Pines’ neighboring community of Cherry Grove. Grove’s "royalty" will be helping with the casino the night of the party and the night after, Sunday, Aug. 1, at Whyte Hall.

"Anybody can throw a cocktail party," says the party’s co-chair, Randy Wilson. "Anybody can throw a dance party. What we do is different. We utilize all of these creative people here on the beach." Past themes reflect that creative spark - from TV to Sci-Fi, Superheroes to the Wild West.

Each year, a veritable mini-city appears on the beach as if by magic. But it’s not magic: It’s the product of dozens of workmen (and women) and hundreds of volunteers. Not only do the volunteers not get paid, but they pay to attend.

How has the party changed in its 12 years? It has made everyone more aware of the need to fund worthy organizations that all-too often can run only day by day.

This year’s DJ roster reflects the diverse nature of the attendees themselves and all of those who labor so hard to make this party happen. The headliners, Moto Blanco, are based in the United Kingdom. Corey Craig, the opener, is a young, black New Yorker especially popular among twentysomethings. Warren Gluck, who will be doing the "classics encore," is a veteran of the ’80s disco palace the Saint. And then there’s Lina; she will be playing the lounge.

Pines Party began as a tribute to a party that brought the community together and a continuance of a major fund-raiser in the fight against AIDS. It continues as a trendsetting charitable and dance event.