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Credit: Chris Lisinski

Looking for something to do this Saturday and Sunday? northforker has you covered.

Here are five activities to check out this Columbus Day weekend.

Go get the gourds!

If you’re brave enough to face the crowds, this is THE weekend for pumpkin picking on the North Fork. Nearly every farm and pumpkin patch will be crawling with visitors who come out to take Instagram photos in the field, sip cider and pick up some fall decor.

If you’re ready to take it all on, or if you just have little ones clamoring to get out of the house, here’s a list of places to pick pumpkins.

But if you’re more about the vineyards this weekend, our wine columnist, Lenn Thompson, offers some tips for surviving the attack of the pumpkin pickers while visiting Wine Country this month.

See the stars at Custer’s Astronomy Jamboree

Custer Observatory in Southold will host its annual Astronomy Jamboree Friday through Sunday, Oct. 9-11. The weekend of lectures, demonstrations, live music, vendors, refreshments and celestial observation begins Friday evening, when a poetry reading, wine and cheese reception, performance of The Astronomer’s Drinking Song and stargazing will take place. Lectures and a banquet dinner follow on Saturday, with breakfast, lectures, a drone demonstration and a Solar Star party on Sunday. Friday and Sunday’s events are free; fees for Saturday events are $15-$55. For information, tickets and a complete schedule, visit custerobservatory.org/jamboree/ or contact Justine Haupt at [email protected].

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Pizza & Pavarotti’ at Diliberto Winery

Celebrate Italian Heritage Month at Diliberto Winery in Jamesport. See a video of the opera “Il Trovatore” in the tasting room and enjoy two glasses of wine with a pizza for $29. Desserts are also available. The event runs 6 to 8 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 10. No one under 21 will be admitted. Diliberto Winery is located at 250 Manor Lane in Jamesport.

It’s Country Fair time

One of the largest festivals in all of New York State, the Riverhead Country Fair celebrates our region’s rich agricultural heritage and will feature displays and competitions, live music, vendors and family-friendly entertainment.

This year marks the 40th anniversary of the Riverhead Country Fair, which will take place Sunday, Oct. 11, along the Peconic Riverfront, Main Street and Peconic Avenue in downtown Riverhead.

New attractions this year include a special cake-decorating contest in honor of the event’s 40th anniversary.

Throughout the day visitors will find live entertainment; artwork; tractor pulls and antique farm equipment exhibits; public-service displays; agricultural, homemaking, crafts and needlework exhibits; the always-popular pumpkin-and gourd-decorating contest; vendors; carnival rides; a business expo; and of course plenty of food.

Riverhead Country Fair will take place on Sunday, Oct. 11. Fair hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., rain or shine.

For more information on competitions, how to get there and other activities, call (631) 727-1215 or visit riverheadcountryfair.com.

Sponsor-a-Pet Day at Talmage Farm Agway

Sponsor an animal from Double D Bar Ranch in Manorville for a monthly donation or drop off animal food and supplies for the ranch. Call (631) 727-3100 or email [email protected]. for more information Talmage Farm Agway is located at 1122 Osborn Ave. in Riverhead.

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