BARRINGTON - A night of fun and festivities at the substance free beach party on Saturday was marked with a somber reminder from Lori Nunes. Ms. Nunes is the mother of the late Justin Nunes, a Bristol teen who was killed in a drunk-driving related accident more than a year ago. She attended the Barrington beach party hoping to inspire local teens to avoid making the same mistake her son did.

"We all need to work together to keep one another safe," she said to the teenagers gathered at the beach. "To value the lives we are given. To make the right choices. One bad choice can cost you dearly.

"I know how much Justin loved the beach. I truly believe in my heart he is here right now."

A group of Barrington High School students kick back during the substance-free beach party at Barrington Town Beach on Saturday. They are (from left to right, front row) Lauren Hammand, Emily Hurt, Ben Glatter, (back row) Lincoln Wesley and Emily Hanang.

The crowd at the beach listened closely to the speech, understanding the message being sent. Her speech was just one of the activities scheduled for the first ever Barrington Beach Substance Free Party. For more than five hours Saturday night, students played games, listened to live music and socialized at the drug and alcohol free party sponsored by the Barrington Substance Abuse Task Force. More than 400 teenagers attended the event.

Event organizers hoped the party would show local students that alcohol and drugs are not necessary to have fun. They seemed to succeed with Alex Saletin. The 16-year-old Barrington resident had a good time while wearing a pair of plastic "fatal vision" goggles.

"Agh," Ms. Saletin said. Her feet were five inches away from a white tape line she had been trying to walk. "Those goggles make it impossible, they make you dizzy. I thought I would fall over."

While wearing the goggles, Ms. Saletin experienced what it would feel like to fail a sobriety test. The goggles simulate vision after two to three drinks, as part of an activity sponsored by Amica Insurance at Saturday's event.

In addition to testing the effects of alcohol on their reflexes, students at Saturday's beach party were treated to live music, free pizza and hot dogs, and volleyball, Frisbee and soccer — all under a vibrant sunset.

High school junior Steve Tetreault, 15, said he came to the beach party Saturday night for the music. Local bands Midnight Sun and Line of Fire and played the event.

"I came just to listen to them play," Mr. Tetreault said, as he watched Midnight Sun perform. "I support the party, too. It's a positive message and it lets people experience music in the community."

Musician Ben Glatter, 16, said that the event gave him and his band, Line of Fire, a chance to play for their friends and support the event at the same time.

"We thought it would be fun," Mr. Glatter said.

Barrington High School students Matt Howe, Joel Park and Gene McKeown, all 14-years-old, came to the party Saturday night to benefit their stomachs.

"I support the event," Mr. Howe said. "But most of all I support the free food."

The freshmen wolfed down popcorn while taking in a game of volleyball being played on sand nearby.

A message, without the bottle

The Barrington Substance Abuse Task Force, spearheaded by coordinator Kathy Sullivan, teamed with Barrington Police Chief John LaCross, students, parents, public safety employees and town officials to organize Saturday night's event.

According to Ms. Sullivan, the network of organizers planned the party with the intention of educating students and changing attitudes about alcohol and drug use.

"The event is just to promote the idea that kids can use the beach, and have fun and not use alcohol," she said.

SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions) member and student organizer Kaitlin Annunziata, 15, got involved with the event because she thought it would have a positive affect on students her age.

"We got involved in the event for all of the youth," she said. "We wanted to get something fun going, and give kids an alternative to regular parties."

Ms. Nunes was more than willing to help emphasize the dangerous results from some alternative behavior.

"You see, the air we breathe and the life inside of us right now can be taken away in an instant," Ms. Nunes said. "I hope this gathering here tonight reminds us of how precious our existence really is. Please be careful."

By Lucy Butler

lbutler@eastbaynewspapers.com