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maritime festival greenport

Photo by Katharine Schroeder

greenport maritime festival

The East End Seaport Museum & Marine Foundation welcomes seafarers and landlubbers alike to the 24th Annual Maritime Festival in Greenport from Friday Sept. 20 through Sunday Sept. 22. This year the theme is “Land & Sea” and the festival will be focusing on everything wonderful and unique that the North Fork and our historic maritime village has to offer. For the full schedule of events, click here.

There will be fresh oysters and clams on the half from local oyster farmers and baymen paired with local wine and ale, local fresh produce and culinary delights, viewings of classic wooden boats and other sailing vessels, children’s entertainment, music, an artist talk on mermaids in fact and fantasy, wandering pirates, fine arts and local crafts, and much more.

OPENING DAY PARADE

The festival’s opening day parade starts at Broad Street and proceeds along Main and Front streets before ending at Third Street. This year’s grand marshal is Bill Claudio.

The parade will include the Greenport, East Marion and Orient fire departments, baton twirlers, Kampgrounds USA, Little Merfolk contest participants, Bug Lighthouse model, Blue Knights International Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club, Peconic Bay Automobile Club, Long Island Triumph Association, antique and classic cars and boats, ice boats, government officials and more.

greenport maritime festival bagpipes band parade
Photo by Katharine Schroder

“BUG LIGHT” CRUISES

Cruise to “Bug Light” Lighthouse in Gardiners Bay from the Greenport railroad dock. Cruises depart Saturday and Sunday at 4 p.m. and return at 6 p.m.

Visit the lighthouse and learn about its history. Catch the spectacular view from all sides. Call the East End Seaport Museum for information and reservations, 631-477-2100 or visit eastendseaport.org.

bug lighthouse maritime festival greenport

CHILDREN’S PROGRAMS

Celebrating its 25th anniversary, Music Together® in Long Island & Queens presents an internationally recognized music and movement program for children from birth through age 7 — and their grown-ups. Nurture a child’s natural enthusiasm for music during these critical early childhood years, and experience the joy that comes to a family that makes music together!  Bring your dancing feet and singing voice to sing, dance and jam – sharing joyful, active music making with the children you love!  Music Together will be at the Festival on Saturday, Sept. 21, at 2 p.m. and Sunday, Sept. 22, at noon.

Constant Wonder will present a fun, interactive show that will inspire children to save our earth — one song at a time! The shows are a big hit with the 3- to 8-year-old crowd, who learn cool nature facts while singing and moving to original, award-winning songs. Catch the Wonder!  Constant Wonder will be at the Festival Saturday, Sept. 21, at 1 p.m.

Also this year the festival is adding a new event. The “Little Merfolk” costume contest. Boys and girls ages 5-12 are invited to participate in the contest and to march down Main and Front streets in the opening ceremonies parade to Mitchell Park where prizes will be awarded by Jewel, the official resident mermaid. This contest is open to all, but advance registration is requested and can be done online.

greenport maritime festival
Photo by Katharine Schroeder

CAPTAIN KIDD’S CRAFT ALLEY

It’s fun and games pirate-style for anyone entering Captain Kidd’s Alley. All ages are welcome to explore their “crafty” side with Color Me Calendars, Fish Painting, Lighthouse Picture Art, Windsocks, Painted Clam Shells and many more activities. The Alley is open Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

TREASURE CHEST

In conjunction with Captain Kidd’s Alley, kids have a chance to win hidden treasure from among dozens of prizes in the Treasure Chest, made possible by the generosity of Greenport’s merchants.

FOOD, OYSTERS, FOOD, CLAMS  … AND MORE FOOD

Come out East and savor all the tastes of Greenport: our wines and beers, our fruits and vegetables — and oysters aplenty! A Taste of the East End food court will provide hungry festival-goers with an array of other delicious dishes prepared by local chefs. Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m.

Sparkling Pointe
Photo courtesy of Noah’s

CLASSIC, ICE AND SMALL BOATS

Classic boats, small boats and iceboats will return to the Maritime Festival by popular demand. Two dozen or more hand-crafted beauties will be on display at Mitchell Park in a celebration of seagoing style.

Wooden Boat magazine’s Classic Yacht Regatta also takes place during the festival. After a day’s racing, crews will return to the dock and come ashore to socialize with the small-boat exhibitors to share trade secrets and admire the merits of these special boats.

greenport maritime boats

CPR CLASSES

Experience shows that immediate CPR (cardio-pulmonary resuscitation) is the single biggest factor in saving the life of a heart attack victim. Members of the North Fork Volunteer Rescue Squad Association will teach a 15- to 20-minute course that provides the basic information necessary for anyone to perform hands-only CPR during the critical first moments following a heart attack.  Stop by to learn the latest techniques and become part of the Chain of Survival. Classes will be offered at Mitchell Park on a continuing basis from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday.

PIRATE SHOW

A swashbuckling pirate troupe will offer an interactive, action-packed, family-oriented experience, bringing to life all the color, excitement and fun associated with the Golden Age of Piracy. The troupe aims to inspire genuine interest in historic pirates and piracy while creatively blending fact with fiction.

The pirates will circulate around the village, wandering the Festival and interacting with children. There will also be show and treasure hunt presentation, accompanied by the pirate “museum,” a hand-crafted outdoor exhibit showcasing real pirates, their ships and practices, flags, knots and other fun facts. Visitors are invited to stay after the show and let the experience continue as they view the exhibit or get to know one of the “pirates.”

This band of pirates brings lively good cheer, adventure, history and fun to audiences of all ages.

greenport maritime festival

KAYAK DERBY, SNAPPER FISHING, DORY RACES, PADDLE BOARDING

Perennial favorites of participants and onlookers alike, these popular Maritime Festival traditions return again this year. The kayak derby and water sports demos will be held Saturday at 3 p.m., the dory races begin at noon on Sunday and snapper fishing is Sunday from 1 to 3 p.m.

dory race greenport maritime festival
Photo by Katharine Schroeder | Dory races at the Greenport Maritime Festival.

MUSIC

You can spend the day strolling village streets or relax in the evening just listening to the music. Various bands will perform at local restaurants and Gene Casey and the Lone Sharks, sponsored by WPKN, will be at Mitchell Park on Sunday afternoon.

greenport maritime festival music
Photo by Katharine Schroeder

FLIGHTS OF FANCY/PART 2

Enjoy wine tasting from a local vineyard and an exhibit of paintings, sculpture, graphics and book and decorative arts by local artists with a “Land & Sea” theme at The Sirens’ Song Gallery.

FIREWORKS

An exciting display of fireworks on the bay at 9 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 21, will be visible from all over the village. This year, the fireworks honor of the late George Costello Sr., the Greenport American Legion and the brave men and women who have served our great country.

Fireworks show in Greenport

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