Land & Sea Gala

The East End Seaport Museum in Greenport kicks off the village’s 30th annual Maritime Festival with the Land & Sea gala on Friday, September 20, from 6:30 to 9:30 PM, with a special VIP early access kicking off at 5:30 PM at the Greenport Yacht and Shipbuilding Co.

The goal of the gala this year is to raise $100,000. “We will be kicking off our capital campaign to restore and maintain Bug Light, which needs a bit of work. There will be lots of eating, drinking, and supporting the mission of the museum,” said Barbara Poliwoda, East End Seaport Museum’s new executive director.

Participating restaurants and vendors include American Beech, Andy’s, Anker, Avalino, Backyard Brine, Braun’s, Bruce & Son, Claudio’s, Ellen’s on Front, First & South, Fishers Island Lemonade, Frisky Oyster, Green Hill, Industry Standard Kitchen, Lenz Winery, Lucharitos, Macari, Mattitaco, The Merchant’s Wife, noah’s, North Fork Table, Northforker, Olive Branch, One Woman, Port, Pugliese, Southold Fish Market, Stirling Sake, The Daves, The Real McCoy Rum. In addition to delectable bites and libations will be Chinese, silent, and live auctions with experiences such as sunset cruises, fishing trips, food truck parties, local art, and more.

The Maritime Festival continues all weekend long with a parade, one-hour cruises, kayak races, live music, coffee sack races, step dancing, and more. Also, don’t miss the event’s iconic Chowder Contest, happening on Sunday, September 22, from 12 to 3 PM back at the Greenport Yacht Company, featuring all local chefs. Over a dozen local chowders are available for tasting, with competitions in Clam Chowder and Other Chowder — where the public picks the winner. Beer will be provided by Greenport Brewery, with chowders by Claudio’s, Greenhill/Anker, noahs, Industry Standard, Salt, Port, CJ’s, Ellen’s, First and South, Andy’s, Lucharitos, and Mattitaco.

Poliwoda said what drew her to the executive director position was Greenport’s maritime history. “I am such an avid boater, and my whole family has been on the water my whole life. My husband still does a lot of fishing, scalloping, and clamming. My son is a mariner now. I’m very interested in maritime history, especially the maritime history in Greenport. It’s invaluable,” Poliwoda continued. “I wanted my skills in development to be helpful to keep this place alive. To grow it, and make it as great as it can be and should be.”

The Greenport Yacht Company is located at 201 Carpenter Street. For tickets and a full schedule of events, visit www.eastendseaport.org.

nicole@indyeastend.com