Chamber Hosts Second Annual Fall Festival

The leaves are starting to pop, the weather is turning brisk, and it’s time for the East Hampton Chamber of Commerce’s second annual fall festival in Herrick Park, on Saturday, October 20.

The event, which runs from 10 AM to 5 PM, is completely free and open to the public, and offers up something for everyone, according to the Chamber’s Executive Director Steve Ringel. “Building on last year’s success, we’re expecting a crowd in the village,” he stated. “It’s a true community event to celebrate fall and the harvest season, as well as to showcase our wonderful businesses and organizations.”

And showcased they will be — more than 50 tents will display the works of local artists, shopkeepers, and artisans, along with over 20 non-profits. Along with shopping and enjoying the day with fellow visitors, attendees can listen and boogie to live music all day, featuring choice acts like the Hoo Doo Loungers, the East Hampton Bluegrass All Stars, Steven Tekulsky’s Judge and Jury Americana Experience, and the East Hampton High School Jazz Band.

There’s plenty of the little ones as well — art projects sponsored by the Children’s Museum of the East End, a climbing wall and a bouncy castle, and a spooky haunted pumpkin patch, plus a place to carve up the gourds, too.

Antique fire trucks, boats, and other emergency vehicles will be available for families to explore, along with a “magical tree house” created by tree house experts and East Hampton residents David and Jeanie Stiles with materials supplied by Riverhead Building Supply (see article elsewhere in this issue). Live mural painting will amuse and occupy the young artists at the fair.

Want to strap on the feed bag? Offerings include fresh lobster rolls from Buoy One, wood-fired pizza from Around the Fire, hand-made pretzels from Knot of this World, and tasty offerings from Noah’s on the Road. Kona shave ice and Mr. Softee will offer cool treats, and village eateries will be open all day, offering specials through the New York State Craft Beverages Program.

Participating non-profits include the Guild Hall Gift Shop; the Hamptons International Film Festival’s “garage sale,” featuring collectible movie poster and merchandise from past years; the East Hampton Historical Society, and Ladies’ Village Improvement Society, among others.

Sponsors include The Independent, DiscoverLI, People’s United Bank, Halstead Real Estate, Tesla, and BK Builders.

For updates and news, visit the website at www.easthamptonchamber.com, or follow the chamber on Facebook at @EastHamptonChamberofCommerce.

bridget@indyeastend.com