Summer brings festivals, concerts and foodie events to the North Fork, many of which have a charitable purpose.
From a rosé soiree to a strawberry celebration, mark your calendars for these 20 North Fork and Shelter Island happenings we think you’ll enjoy.
And as always, visit northforker.com/events for more fun ideas.
FIRST FRIDAYS
Remaining dates are July 6, Aug. 3, Sept. 7 and Oct. 5 from 6-9 p.m.
Love Lane, Mattituck
First Fridays is returning for its fourth season. The block party-style event features live music, food, drinks, face painting, artisanal goods and more.
For details, mattituckfirstfridays.com.
TASTE THE EAST END
Saturday, June 23, 7-10 p.m.
Long Island Aquarium, Riverhead
The annual Taste the East End event is an opportunity for local restaurants to pair their signature dishes with local craft beer and wine.
Reservations required. Tickets are $65
631-208-9200, ext. 426, or longislandaquarium.com
64TH ANNUAL MATTITUCK LIONS CLUB STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL & HULLING NIGHT
Thursday, June 14, 5-9 p.m. Carnival rides, 6:30-10:30 p.m.
Strawberry Fields Fairgrounds, Route 48, Mattituck
The community comes together to hull the strawberries that will become shortcakes. Pay-one-price bracelet for rides: $25; single ride tickets available.
The actual Strawberry Festival runs from Friday, June 15, to Sunday, June 17. Arts and crafts, live music, food vendors, carnival, games of chance, crowning of Strawberry Festival Queen, fireworks, strawberries, strawberry shortcake and much more.
Event schedule and admission fees: mattitucklionsclub.org
39TH ANNUAL SHELTER ISLAND 10K RUN/5K WALK
Saturday, June 16, 5:30 p.m.
Shelter Island
The annual race features top athletes from all over the world, but also includes a 5K and a community fun walk for families. There is also a post-race barbecue with live music. The event benefits the Island 10K Community Fund.
For a complete list of events and details, shelterislandrun.com.
FARM-TO-TABLE DINNER AT SYLVESTER MANOR
Saturday, June 23, 6:30 p.m.
Dinner features in-season meats and produce from the farm, as well as other East End edibles and wines. The event features cooking by Fire Roasted Catering and dancing.
For details, 631-749-0626, sylvestermanor.org
FIREWORKS AT RIVERHEAD RACEWAY
Saturday, June 30
Route 58, Riverhead
This is the 68th year of the celebration, which also features a demolition derby, a kids big wheel race and more.
For complete schedule, riverheadraceway.com.
DANCES IN THE PARK
Mitchell Park, Greenport
Enjoy live Long Island bands for a free concert in the park. Bring a blanket or chair. Dance under the stars.
Every Monday in July & August.
For details, 631-477-2200 or greenportvillage.com.
ANNUAL FIREWORKS AT CRESCENT BEACH
Saturday, July 7, 9 p.m.
The annual fireworks by Grucci is being presented by Shelter Island Fireworks.
Rain date: Sunday, July 8
For details or to make a donation, shelterislandfireworks.com
ALIVE ON 25: FOUR SUMMER NIGHTS
Thursdays, July 5, July 12, July 26 and Aug. 9, 5 to 9 p.m.
Main Street, Riverhead
A street festival that offers local craft beer and wine, live music, artists, vendors, a car show and more.
Rain date: Thursday, Aug. 23
For details, aliveon25.com
SHELTER ISLAND HISTORICAL SOCIETY ANNUAL BLACK & WHITE DINNER BENEFIT
Saturday, July 21, 6 to 10 p.m.
Havens Barn, 16 South Ferry Road
Annual fundraiser to help support Shelter Island Historical Society. Music, cocktails, dinner, dancing, silent auction. Wear black and white. For details, shelterislandhistorical.org.
PERLMAN MUSIC PROGRAM ANNUAL SUMMER BENEFIT: A TASTE OF SHELTER ISLAND
Friday, July 27, 6 p.m.
Perlman Music Program Campus, 73 Shore Road
Toby and Itzhak Perlman invite you to celebrate the future of classical music with a beachfront reception, an orchestra and chorus concert, silent auction and tasting dinner featuring local chefs.
For details, 212-877-5045, perlmanmusicprogram.org
SUMMER ROSÉ & BUBBLY FEST
Saturday, July 28
Palmer Vineyards, Riverhead
Taste rosé and sparkling wines from more than 25 wineries while sampling farm-to-table cheeses, charcuterie and craft foods from local makers. There will be dancing on the lawn. Dress code: summer-chic and pink. Two sessions: noon to 3 p.m. and 4 to 7 p.m. Rain or shine. Tickets start at $65
For details, palmervineyards.com
SOUTHOLD-GREENPORT ROTARY’S LOBSTERFEST
Saturday, July 28, festivities begin at 5 p.m.
Wharf House at Founders Landing, Southold
This Rotary Club fundraiser benefits community service projects. Eat in or take home, cash bar, live music, raffle and more. $55 for adults; $7 for children 10 and under.
For details and tickets, greenportrotary.org.
ANNUAL BARN DANCE AT HALLOCKVILLE
Saturday, Aug. 4, 6:30 p.m.
6038 Sound Ave., Riverhead
Enjoy live traditional music and learn the dance steps in the historic Naugles Barn. A summer tradition that’s fun for all ages is an annual summer fundraiser for the nonprofit Hallockville Museum Farm. Food truck and beverages will be available for cash purchase. $25 at the door for ages 13 and up; $5 ages 12 and under. All proceeds directly support the not-for-profit mission of the museum farm.
For details, hallockville.com.
HARVEST EAST END
Saturday, Aug. 4, 4-8 p.m.
Martha Clara Vineyards, Riverhead
Long Island Wine Council’s annual fundraiser returns with passed hors d’oeuvres by Lombardi’s Love Lane Market, a silent auction, live music and more.
$125 winemaker experience tickets include exclusive meet-and-greet opportunities with Long Island winemakers and tastings of library and reserve wines. Tickets are $75
For details, 631-722-2220
POLISH TOWN STREET FAIR & POLKA FESTIVAL
Saturday, Aug. 18, and Sunday, Aug. 19, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Pulaski and Lincoln streets, Polish Town, Riverhead
Vendors with arts, crafts, ethnic foods, exhibits, Polish imports and more. Live music, dance performances and polka dancing. The street fair is free.
For details, polishtowncivicassociation.org.
CUTCHOGUE FIRE DEPARTMENT CHICKEN BBQ
Saturday, Aug. 25
Cutchogue Fire District, 260 New Suffolk Road, Cutchogue
Cutchogue Fire Department is hosting its 62nd annual chicken barbecue fundraiser at the firehouse grounds. Tickets will be available from any member of the fire department or Ladies Auxiliary on July 7. Phone orders can be made to the firehouse at 631-734-6907 after July 7. Tickets are $25 and are sold on a first-come, first-served basis. Limited to 3,000.
For details, cutchoguefiredept.org.
5TH ANNUAL GREAT PECONIC RACE
Saturday, Sept. 8
Sign-in 7 a.m.; first launch 9 a.m.
An adventure paddle race circumventing Shelter Island. Starts and finishes at Wades Beach. Designed as an elite race for seasoned recreational, advanced, elite and experienced paddlers. A fundraiser for Cornell Cooperative Extension Marine Program. Event includes demos, clinics, children’s activities and races, short races, live music and a party on the beach that’s open to the public.
For details, greatpeconicrace.com.
NORTH FORK FOODIE TOUR
Sunday, Sept. 16, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Peconic Land Trust’s Agricultural Learning Center at Charnews Farm, 3005 Youngs Ave., Southold. Chart your own course for a day filled with an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the North Fork food industry. Learn about artisanal foods, wines and sustainable agriculture. Tickets are $25 for adults; free for children under 12.
For tickets and details, northforkreformsynagogue.org, 631-722-5712 or purchase on tour day at any Foodie Tour location.
EAST END MARITIME FESTIVAL
Friday, Sept. 21, through Sunday, Sept. 23
The East End Maritime Festival serves to highlight and showcase Greenport’s maritime culture and history. Friday night begins the festival with the Land and Sea Gala cocktail party. Saturday morning’s parade will kick off the day’s events followed by a display of classic wooden boats, nautical arts and crafts, music, activities for children and families, pirate shows, local produce and seafood, wines and craft beer. Saturday evening will be filled with music and dancing in Mitchell Park, screenings of movies and fireworks. Sunday morning starts off with a children’s breakfast with mermaids and pirates followed by more family-friendly activities, games, a snapper contest and a sunset sail to Bug Light.
For details, eastendmaritimefestival.org or greenportvillage.com.
