Upcoming North Fork Events by Kathryn Bockino
The North Fork is the type of place people dream about spending their summers on. It has everything from beaches to vineyards, to locally caught seafood and freshly grown produce. As the stars light up over the Long Island Sound each night, it’s easy to get caught up in the beauty, the peace, and the magic that is the North Fork. This month, as summer truly begins to dazzle us, five different local events will not only delight and enchant you (and your family), but also remind you why the North Fork is still the best place to spend your summer.
North Fork Crush, Saturday June 25th
The only way you should be spending this Saturday is down at Jamesport Vineyards, where the North Fork Crush Wine & Artisanal Food Festival is returning. Choose either the afternoon session (12:00P.M. to 3:00P.M.) or the evening session (4:00P.M. to 7:00P.M.) and enjoy over 100 Long Island wines and specialty foods, including a selection of chocolates, baked goods, and jams from artisanal food companies. Additionally, you can even meet with winemakers to learn all about your favorite wines! There is no other event like this, so you don’t want to miss out.
Dances in the Park, Every Monday Night
Every Monday starting July 4th (all the way to August 29th), bands of every different genre will perform at Mitchell Park in the Village of Greenport. These concerts are free to attend, and start at 7:30PM. Bring your kids, a dancing partner, and comfortable shoes so you can dance the night away. July 4th Uppercut: Rock, Funk ’n Horns performs, July 11th is Swan Live: Soul, Motown, and July 18th Southbound: Keepin’ it Country will be keeping your feet busy.
Love Lane Street Fair, Saturday July 9th
On July 9th from 9:00A.M. to 4:00P.M. check out Mattituck’s 39th Annual Street Fair on Love Lane & Pike Street. There will be food, the delightful crowning of Little Ms. and Mr. Mattituck, and plenty of arts and crafts. Furthermore, you can enter the Mattituck Chamber Raffle where local businesses donate some amazing prizes. Finally (and perhaps the best part), according to their website – http://mattituckchamber.org – “All proceeds raised from this event go to local projects in Mattituck including 3 individual Scholarships for our local Graduating Seniors.” Rain or shine, this event will be occurring and will be a blast for the whole family.
Alive on 25, Four Separate Summer Nights
Main Street, Riverhead is launching their first ever ALIVE ON 25 summer street festival. Starting on July 14th, and then continuing every other Thursday (July 28th, August 11th, August 25th) Main Street Riverhead will be transformed into a festival that offers everything from local craft beer and wine, live music, vendors, artists, and more. Inspired by Patchogue’s successful event of a similar name, Riverhead will be the place to be on these four separate summer nights.
Moonlight and Country on the Waterfront, Saturday July 16th
Head on down to the New Suffolk Waterfront and join everyone at Case’s Place (in the newly restored Galley Ho) from 6:30P.M. to 9:30P.M for an evening that has a little bit of everything. As the stars begin to peek out, enjoy an authentic country supper, Southern-style hors d’oeuvres, and plenty of country music anyone can dance to. What’s even better is that all proceeds go toward the continuing revitalization of the New Suffolk Waterfront property. This is the perfect event for your friends, partner, or the whole group!
Sweet Corn Festival, Saturday July 23rd & Sunday July 24th
This is the event where everyone, and I mean everyone, will be able to have fun. Located on Harbes Mattituck Farm (715 Sound Ave), Harbes is having their annual Sweet Corn Festival. Come by and watch – or participate in – their Corn Eating Contest, listen to some country music, or even try their original corn custard ice cream. The kids will love their Barnyard Adventures, which features face painting, singing hayrides, pony rides, and a petting area. Finally, wine lovers can visit the Tasting Room that is located right behind the main farm, where they can try Harbes’ award winning wines!
Each of these events offers an experience that is unique to the North Fork.
What other part of the world can you find a wine festival and a corn festival all in the same month? The North Fork brings communities, your family, and all of your friends together with the beautiful Sound to the north, and the glistening Bay to the South.
