Hamptons Fall Family Fun: Festivals, Museums
Autumn is a time of endless celebrations across the East End, family-friendly events filled with food, music, food, art, food and, on occasion, food. And if there isn’t a festival going on, myriad museums welcome kids and the kids in all of us.
Fabulous Festivals
Southampton SeptemberFest
Southampton Village becomes a center of celebration during SeptemberFest 2013 from September 27 through 29. The Lone Sharks kick off the festivities on Friday night at Agawam Park, followed by Saturday fun including free concerts in the park (with performances by New Life Crisis), demonstrations from Maniac Pumpkin Carvers, a chowder contest, farmers market, antique engines and motors from the Long Island Antique Power Association, wagon rides and local food, wines and craft beer. A Harvest Day Fair will take place on Saturday, 11 a.m.–5 p.m. at the Southampton Historical Museum. On Sunday, September 29, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Agawam Park will be home to the fine-art-filled “Sunday in the Park with Art.” Visit SouthamptonSeptemberfest.com.
Sag Harbor American Music Festival
This celebration of American music takes place on September 27 and 28. Kicking off the two-day festival is BeauSoleil avec Michael Doucet on Friday night, from 8 to 9:30 p.m., at the Old Whalers’ Church. Free performances from The Hoo-Doo Loungers, Jazz-Soul Train Express, and Gene Casey and the Lone Sharks will rock various venues in Sag Harbor Village throughout the festival. Visit sagharbormusic.com.
San Gennaro Feast of the Hamptons
The two-day festival celebrating the Patron Saint of Naples on October 5 and 6 in Hampton Bays starts at 10 a.m. with a Saturday-morning parade and continues with live music, fireworks, a carnival and, best of all, delicious Italian food—from calamari to pizza to tiramisu. Visit sangennarofeastofthehamptons.com.
Montauk’s Annual Fall Festival
Back for the 32nd year, the festival will take place on the Green in the center of town on Saturday and Sunday, October 12 and 13, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday activities include clam shucking and a chowder contest, with fireworks by Grucci on Saturday night. A free 30-horse carousel ride, face painting, pumpkin decorating and crab races for kids, Oktoberfest-style food, the Long Island wines, farmers market, live music and much more. Visit montaukchamber.com.
Second Annual Greenport Harbor Oyster Festival
On October 13, from noon to 6 p.m., Greenport will celebrate its oystering history as local oyster farmers and suppliers serve up the freshest bivalves on the East End. Tour Greenport Harbor Brewery and sample new beer releases, enjoy an array of food, fun and music in historic Greenport. Visit harborbrewing.com.
Must-See Museums
East End Seaport and Maritime Museum
The Maritime Museum located in Greenport at 3rd Street, in the former railroad station adjacent to the Shelter Island North Ferry Dock, houses an array of exhibits on the maritime heritage of the area: the Greenport menhaden fishing industry, the oyster industry, lighthouse lenses, a model ship of the USS Ohio and more. September through Columbus Day, open weekends from 1–5 p.m; and November through April by appointment. Visit eastendseaport.org or call 631-477-2100.
Hallockville Museum Farm
A tour of the Hallockville Museum Farm is a great way to spend the day on the North Fork. Its 28 acres are home to 19 historic houses, barns and outbuildings. Visitors can experience real farming in the fields and meet the friendly cows, sheep and chickens, and participate in workshops in animal tracking, canning and pickling, and bird walks. Visit hallockville.com or call 631-298-5295.
Home Sweet Home
Home Sweet Home in East Hampton is a wonderful place to take a step back in time (come on, you remember the song). Dating back to the 1720s, the saltbox-style house was built by English settlers and is now a village museum. Open daily through the end of September, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sundays 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.; October and November, weekends only. For more information, call 631-324-0713.
Montauk Lighthouse
No matter how many times you go, each one is special. A journey to the iconic symbol of The End provides not only a chance to visit the first lighthouse in New York State and the fourth oldest lighthouse in the United States, but also offers the opportuinity to explore trails for hiking, take in the amazing views of the ocean, and visit the wonderful museum—home to artifacts, historical documents and photographs—housed in the 1860 Keepers’ House. Open daily 10:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. and on weekends until 5 p.m. After November 2, the lighthouse will be open weekends only. Visit montauklighthouse.com or call 631-668-2544.
Shinnecock Nation Cultural Center & Museum
Dedicated to honoring the ancestors and living history of the Shinnecock Indian Nation, the museum and exciting new Wikun Village offer exhibitions and displays illustrating and celebrating the rich Shinnecock history that goes back more than 10,000 years. Open Thursday through Sunday, 11 a.m.–5 p.m. 100 Montauk Highway, Southampton. Visit shinnecockmuseum.com or call 631-287-4923.