31 days, 31 things to do on the North Fork in May

From garden sales to afternoon wine tasting to farm stand openings, the season is starting to heat up on the North Fork.

Here are 31 things to do for all 31 days of May.

May 1
The squid are in!

Head to the Railroad Dock in Greenport and check out the squid fishing. Watching someone catch these creatures, which look like tiny sea monsters, is a sight to behold. Be on the lookout for a feature on this event later this week on northforker.

May 2
Tuesdays with Tom

There are many great parks and preserves on the North Fork to view migration birds. Join Tom Damiani for the “spot du jour” each Tuesday in May to see spectacular warblers, tanagers and flycatchers.

Meet at the Red House at Inlet Pond County Park in Greenport at 8 a.m. Please register by calling Tom at (631) 275-3202 or email [email protected].

The series continues on May 9, 16, 23 and 30.

65275 Route 48, Greenport.

May 3
Wednesday Night Shuckers Club

Are you an oyster fan? Then the Wednesday Night Shuckers Club at Little Creek Oysters is for you. This event is held every Wednesday night from 5 to 8 p.m. with $5 Greenport Harbor beer, U-shuck specials and shucked oysters specials.

37 Front Street, Greenport, littlecreekoysters.com, (631) 477-6992.

May 4
Schmitt’s is open

Head to Schmitt’s Farm Country Fresh (or any farm stand, really.) This Laurel farm opens for the season on May 4.

Main Road, Laurel, just west of Laurel Lane. (631) 298-1991.

May 5
Love Lane First Fridays

Enjoy the best of Mattituck on the first Friday night of the month through October. Love Lane will be closed to traffic with vendors set up in the street.

Participating local businesses will offer special discounts, demonstrations or giveaways in their stores all day. The event runs from 6 to 9 p.m.

May 6
Vine to Wine Tour at Sannino Bella Vita

Take a “Vine to Wine” Tour at Sannino Bella Vita Vineyard and Winery in Peconic. Go on a mini-viticulture tour, learn about winemaking techniques and explore the barrel cellar. This tour will be given by owner and winemaker Anthony Sannino and includes wine tasting, a cheese plate and special discounts. Reservations are required; the tour runs from 1 to 2:30 pm.

1375 Peconic Lane, Peconic. sanninovineyard.com, (631) 734-8282.

May 7
North Fork Chorale concert

The North Fork Chorale will host a three-concert series this month. May 7’s event will be held at Orient Congregational Church.

Tickets are $10 each and can be purchased at the door or from any organization member.

Call (631) 477-1739 for more info.

23045 Main Road, Orient.

May 8
Horseshoe crab monitoring

Group for the East End is seeking dedicated volunteers that will assist in counting and tagging spawning horseshoe crabs and recording data according to protocols. Spawning occurs from May to late June, during high tide on the new and full moon. Join them at South Harbor Beach in Southold.

The event begins at 10:45 p.m.

Email [email protected] or call (631) 765-6450 x208 for more details.

South Harbor Beach Road, Southold.

May 9
Paddleboard meet-up

Call One Love Beach surf shop at (631) 333-2064 to get on the email list for the weekly community paddle boarding meet-up. Or visit the store’s Facebook page on Tuesday morning for the weekly locations.

There is no fee to attend. The shop offers rentals if you don’t have your own board.

May 10
Full Flower Moon Hike

Enjoy a moonlit hike through the trails at Downs Farm Preserve. Participants may bring a flashlight or headlamp. The hike runs from 7:45 to 8:30 p.m.

Contact Jessica Kennelly at (631) 765-6450 ext. 215 or [email protected] for more info.

23800 Main Road, Cutchogue.

May 11
Catch a sunset at Bailie Beach

Bailie Beach is located on the eastern side of Mattituck Inlet. Known for its sandy beach, dunes and tidal wetlands, it also features great sunset views over the inlet.

2205 Bailie Beach Road, Mattituck. (631) 298-9103.

May 12
Garden festival at Tanger

Now in its 22nd year, a $10 voucher entitles you to $15 worth of products. Proceeds benefit Peconic Bay Medical Center International Support Services and Riverhead Rotary charities. The festival also runs on May 11, 13 and 14. For more info or vouchers, contact Mary Ellen Johnson at (631) 874-0349.

200 Tanger Mall Drive, Riverhead.

May 13
Mom-a-thon in Greenport

Enjoy sidewalk shopping with Mom in Greenport Village. Spending $10 or more at participating shops entitles customers to a raffle ticket. Gift baskets will be raffled off at 5 p.m. The event, which is sponsored by the Greenport Village Business Improvement District, continues on Sunday, May 14.

For more information, visit greenportvillage.com or email [email protected].

May 14
Mother’s Day fest at Harbes

Celebrate the start of the season at Harbes Family Farm in Mattituck. Enjoy live music, wine tastings, pig races, hayrides, and more. All moms receive free admission to the Barnyard Adventure.

715 Sound Avenue, Mattituck. Harbesfamilyfarm.com, (631) 298-0800.

May 15
Take a class at the Barre Room

Squeeze in a morning ballet class before work. All skill levels are welcome. Classes are $15, but if you’ve never been before, the first class is free. Classes are 45 minutes and begin at 7 a.m., 8 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.

445 Pike Street, Mattituck. Email [email protected].

May 16
Dinner at Erik’s

This North Fork breakfast and lunch favorite is now open until 7:30 p.m. through Columbus Day.

Route 48, Southold. (631) 765-6264, eriksinsouthold.com.

May 17
Visit East End Arts

Check out “Illustration and Fashion” at East End Arts. The juried art show runs through June 9 and admission is free.

133 E. Main Street, Riverhead. eastendarts.com, (631) 727-0900.

May 18
Pickup some heirloom plants at Long Season Farms

It’s past the May midway mark so it is safe to plant tender crops. Long Season Farms in Aquebogue will have delicious varieties for sale.

1017 Main Road, Aquebogue. (631) 779-3360.

May 19
Dinner and a walk in Riverhead

Take a walk along the Peconic Riverfront and have dinner at PeraBell Food Bar East End, one of our favorite downtown restaurants.

PeraBell is located at 65 E. Main Street. perabellfoodbar.com, (631) 740-9494.

May 20
Fleece and Fiber Fair

Hallockville Museum Farms hosts the eighth annual Fleece and Fiber Fair. Visitors will see and learn how local artisans craft wool and other animal fiber into beautiful finished pieces of clothing and art. The fair provides two fun-filled days of demonstrations and hands-on learning that can be enjoyed by the whole family.

The fair runs from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. and continues on May 21.

6038 Sound Avenue, Riverhead. hallockville.com, (631) 298-5292.

May 21
Piano concert at Peconic Bay Yacht Club

Enjoy Rising Stars, which is part of the Rites of Spring music festival. Three pianists will play a virtuoso music program during a special combination of cocktail tastings and listening to exceptional classical piano music.

The concert begins at 5:30 p.m. An after-concert reception will be held with cocktail tasting and chocolate all included. Tickets are $120 and can be purchased here.

64300 Main Road, Southold.

May 22
Lunch in Orient

Enjoy lunch from the Orient Country Store. Their soups, sandwiches and baked goods are dynamite. And if you have some extra time, Orient Beach State Park is perfect for a hike.

950 Village Lane, Orient. (631) 323-2580.

May 23
Dinner at Modern Snack Bar

Visit one of the North Fork’s cutest throwback diners. Modern Snack Bar offers an $18.95 prime rib special Tuesday through Fridays from 3 p.m. until closing.

628 Route 25, Aquebogue. modernsnackbar.com, (631) 722-3655.

May 24
Rotary Uncorked

The 11th annual Riverhead Rotary Uncorked kicks off at 6 p.m. Enjoy tastes and sips from some of the East End’s best wineries and restaurants. The event once again takes place at Martha Clara Vineyards in Riverhead. Tickets are $80 and can be purchased at uncorked17.eventbrite.com.

Visit riverheadrotary.org for further details.

Martha Clara is located at 6025 Sound Avenue, Riverhead.

May 25
Bike down Oregon Road

This time of year is mighty ripe for a Wine Country bike ride. Here are two do-it-yourself tours. We love the Oregon Road loop.

May 26
Wine Café at Diliberto

Enjoy two glasses of wine and a homemade pizza for $29, while listening to live music in the Diliberto tasting room.

250 Manor Lane, Jamesport. Dilibertowinery.com, (631) 722-3416.

May 27
New Suffolk Chowderfest

This event features a variety of North Fork chowders, a barbecue lunch, face painting and more. The event runs from noon to 3 p.m.

A limited number of tickets will be sold. For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit newsuffolkwaterfront.org or call (631)566-0806.

There will be Chowderfest parking at Wickham’s Fruit Farm, 28700 Main Rd., Cutchogue.

May 28
Community Mosaic Street Painting Festival

Street painting squares sponsored by businesses, families, and individuals are used as a canvas for inspirations in chalk. Street painters over 14 years of age are encouraged to register in advance. Pre-registered street painters will be matched with a sponsored square on a first-come-first-serve basis. Street painting squares may also be purchased for $20 on the day of the event. Materials included.

You can also attend to enjoy the art and festivities.

The event takes place on East Main Street between Roanoke Avenue and East Avenue and on the grounds of East End Arts.

For more information, contact East End Arts at (631) 727-0900.

May 29
Live music at Lieb

Enjoy some wine tasting at Lieb Cellars. Julia King performs on this day from 1 to 3 p.m.

10305 Oregon Road, Cutchogue. Liebcellars.com, (631) 734-1100.

May 30
Get your beach permit!

It’s time to prepare for the season by obtaining your town beach permit. Click here for information on Southold Town permits and here for information on Riverhead Town permits.

May 31
A ferry ride and dinner

Board the North Ferry to Shelter Island by foot and hoof it to dinner at Red Maple. Ferry foot passengers are $2 each way. Click here to make a dinner reservation.

Red Maple is located at The Chequit, 23 Grand Ave., Shelter Island Heights. (631) 749-0183.