Memorial Day Happenings on the North Fork
The count to Memorial Day weekend is winding down — only one short week left until Summer 2022 kicks off and it’s finally summer on the North Fork! And there’s so much more to do than just head to the beautiful Long Island Sound or Peconic Bay beaches. Here are some suggestions for Memorial Day fun:
First Annual New Suffolk Community Picnic
On Sunday, May 29 from 5 to 7pm, join your New Suffolk friends and neighbors at the first annual Community Picnic. Jointly sponsored by the New Suffolk Waterfront Fund and the New Suffolk Civic Association, enjoy a summer kickoff celebration with music, fun, and games. Bring your own food and beverages; festively decorated picnic tables will be provided. View the Pétanque demonstration, a form of lawn bowling played almost daily in New Suffolk.
Memorial Day Parades & Services
Memorial Day is really a solemn celebration of those who died for our freedom — a fact often forgotten and overlooked in the welcome to summer hype. Take a moment to honor the fallen by viewing any of the parades in and around the towns of the North Fork, including those scheduled for Monday, May 30 in Greenport, Southold and Riverhead.
Live Music
Crabby Jerry’s has live music Friday, Saturday and Sunday of Memorial Weekend from 5-9pm. Claudio’s Restaurant kicks off the summer vibe with live music on the veranda. Enjoy cocktails and food while listening to summer sounds, Monday, May 30 from 5-9 pm. On Friday, May 27 at 6pm, join musicians of all abilities in a live acoustic jam session at the Cutchogue New Suffolk Free library. All styles of music are welcome. This free event continues through the summer on the last Friday of every month. Don’t forget to check out the musical acts headlining at the Suffolk Theater in Riverhead, including the BoDeans on Saturday, May 28 and local East End favorite That 70’s Band on Sunday, May 29. For tickets and more information: www.suffolktheater.com.
East End Bike Tours
Just like in Provence or the Loire Valley, bike tours are now available on the North Fork with Mattituck’s East End Bike Tours. Guided, luxury tours can be scheduled daily; the leisurely 13.5 mile loop takes riders through the beautiful scenery of Long Island, including vistas of the Peconic Bay, farmlands and vineyards, vintage homes and local wildlife. Bicycles are provided and different tour options are available (wineries, breweries, farmstands, etc.). And just because you’re on a bike doesn’t mean you can’t buy lots of stuff at the various stops along your ride: a courtesy vehicle follows and will transport your packages!
Food and Wine
Two favorite food groups get paired up at Sannino Vineyard (15975 County Road 48, Cutchogue)! Quaff your favorite Sannino vintage with delicious cupcake goodies by Sweet Treats by Jaime. Enjoy a pairing of 3 specially crafted cupcakes and 3 Sannino Estate Wines. Saturday, May 21 from 11 – 6pm; reservations required. Advance tickets are available for $40 per person. For more information: www.sanninovineyard.com. Suhru Wines and Southold Bay Oysters team up on Sunday, May 29 from 11-5pm for a special day of wine and Southold Shindig Oysters on the half shell. 28735 Main Road, Cutchogue.
Annual North Fork Dog Diving Day
Come view all breeds of dogs at a fun event for the whole family on June 4 and June 5 from 9am to 5pm hosted by Greenport Harbor Brewing Co., Main Road, Peconic. Both amateur and professional dogs will compete in “The Long Jump,” “The High Jump” and “Speed Retrieve” by running from a dock into water. Enjoy the festival atmosphere, which includes live music, vendors and of course, craft beer and food. Tickets are $15 per person; kids under 12 are free; on site/off site parking available for $10 per car. For tickets and additional information on all the weekend events, check out their website:
www.greenportharborbrewing.com.
Mighty Fork Triathlon
Test your mettle on Sunday, May 29 by competing in the Mighty Fork Triathlon, which starts at Cedar Beach in Southold. Ideal for even first-time triathlon competitors — there’s a 500-meter swim in the calm Peconic Bay at Cedar Beach, a seven-mile bike and a 3.5-mile run through Long Island’s wine country. For more details and to sign up, go to www.trisignup.com/Race/NY/Southold/MightyNorthFork.
