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Horseradish awaits peeling Saturday. (Credit: Katharine Schroeder)

It’s gonna be a hot one.

The second annual North Fork Horseradish Festival is coming to Long Ireland Beer Co. in Riverhead on Sunday, April 19.

The event will feature seminars, demonstrations, a root lugging contest, a bloody mary contest sponsored by Long Island Spirits and an amateur horseradish recipe contest sponsored by Gold’s Horseradish.

There will also be plenty for the kiddies including an egg hunt with prizes, face painting and potato sack races. Eastbound Freight Bluegrass will provide music and there will be vendors on hand offering samples and food for purchase.

What began decades ago as an informal horseradish party, where North Forkers gathered to peel, chop and grind fresh horseradish, the annual happening has grown to become a major event with thousands of attendees. Starfish Junctions, the event company behind the North Fork Craft Beer Festival and other local events, began hosting the festival in 2014.

The company estimated that last year’s festival, held at Hallockville Museum Farm, attracted 1,500 attendees.

“We are excited to see the North Fork Horseradish Festival expand,” said event manager Kristyn Dolan. “We believe agriculture and horseradish, in particular, are part of the roots of the North Fork. Our goal is to nurture those roots into a family-friendly Long Island event for years to come that all will associate with the spring season.”

Tickets for the North Fork Horseradish Festival will be sold for $20 online before the event and $25 at the door (if the event is not sold out). Admission includes seminars, samples, activities, contests, and live music. Children 12 and under are admitted for free but should get a complimentary ticket online. A portion of proceeds will go to the Alzheimer’s Association. Tickets and additional information are available at NoFoHorseradishFest.com.

Long Ireland Beer Co. is located at 817 Pulaski Street in Riverhead.

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