No plans for this Father’s Day yet? Did you forget again? Luckily, when you’re on the North Fork there are plenty of perfect ways to celebrate the parent who knows best. We chose four ideas that’ll surely be a home run for dad this weekend.
Harbes’ Father’s Day Fun Fest
On both Saturday and Sunday (June 15 and 16) all day from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Harbes Family Farm will be hosting a slew of Father’s Day activities. Volunteers from SPAT (Southold Project in Aquaculture Training) will be on site to shuck and serve fresh Peconic Bay oysters and talk about Long Island marine life. There will also be staff from the Greenport Harbor Brewing Company to provide their microbrew ales to thirsty dads. Besides just the food and drink offered by these two local organizations, there will be additional food available on the menu. The whole family will be entertained with activities like learning about bees in the bee observatory, singing hay rides, pig races, farm animal puppet shows, border collie demonstrations, relay races and more. Live music will be played throughout both days.
Sparkling Pointe’s “Cheers for Dad”
The Cheers for Dad event at Sparkling Pointe Vineyard features the Port Jefferson Brewing Company and barbeque classics by The Kitchen Deli (Waterside Caterers) to make for a delicious day for pops. On Sunday from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. dads and their families are invited for a relaxing and tasty afternoon. The $40 ticket price ($10 for children) includes one glass of Sparkling Pointe or one pint of beer, a Port Jeff Brewing Company souvenir pint glass, yummy BBQ food, and unlimited birch beer (non-alcoholic). The BBQ foods served include pulled pork, hand cut coleslaw, sliced steak with pesto, Andouille sausage, kielbasa and sauerkraut, potato salad, watermelon, and assorted artisan pizzas. For kids there are hamburgers and hotdogs available as well. To purchase tickets visit the website at or call at (631) 765-0200.
Waters Crest Winery BBQ Boot Camp
Could Dad be interested in a few tips on his barbequing skills? If so, Waters Crest Winery is the perfect place to be this Father’s Day weekend. The winner of the winery’s Master Chef Challenge, Chef Tom Fazio Jr., will be on hand to teach dads things like easy marinades, rubs, injections and how to make their own smoker on their grill. Fathers will receive a free glass of wine or pint of beer at the event, and there will be lots of BBQ samples to munch on. The BBQ Boot camp will take place on Saturday, June 15 at 2 p.m. for $35 per person. To make a reservation (which is required), call (631) 734-5065.
Mattituck Lions Club Strawberry Festival
The locally famous Mattituck Lions Club Strawberry Festival is open all Father’s Day weekend, but on Sunday, June 16 admission for dads is free (with paid child). The traditions of the festival include fresh strawberry shortcake, strawberry daiquiris and chocolate covered strawberries. There are tons of fun rides, arts and crafts vendors, and live music as well. On Father’s Day itself the festival is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Click here for northforker’s feature about the fest including a slideshow from previous festivals.
Photo by Judy Ahrens
