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August marks the last full month of summer, so it’s time to pack in as much fun as possible before it’s back to reality. These events will help you make the most of it before brisker temperatures usher in the start of pumpkin season.
Polish Town Street Fair & Polka Festival
Get immersed in Riverhead’s Polish heritage at the annual Polish Town Fair on Saturday, Aug. 17 and Sunday, Aug. 18 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Vendors with arts, crafts, ethnic foods, exhibits and more will line Pulaski and Lincoln streets in downtown Riverhead for the two-day festival. There will also be live music, performances and polka dancing.
For details polishtowncivicassociation.org
Cutchogue Fire Department Chicken Barbecue
Tickets go fast for the annual Cutchogue Fire Department Chicken Barbecue, so we suggest getting some as soon as possible. Phone orders can be made to the firehouse at 631-734-6907. Tickets are $25 and are sold on a first-come, first-served basis. This year’s barbecue is Saturday, Aug. 24.
For details, cutchoguefiredept.org
Movie in the vines at RGNY
*Editor’s note: This event has been cancelled
Pass the merlot! RGNY is hosting a wine-themed movie night in the vineyard on Friday, Aug. 2 at 7 p.m. The picture of choice is appropriately “Sideways,” the story of two pals taking an adventurous trip through California wine country. Wine and snacks will be available for purchase and you must be 21+ to attend.
$10 entry tickets are limited and can be reserved here.
Famous Food Festival at Tanger Outlet Center
Calling all foodies. The popular King O’Rourke Famous Food Festival, hosted annually at the Deer Park Tanger Outlets, is making its way to Riverhead for the first time. The two-day festival, being held Saturday, Aug. 10 and Sunday, Aug. 11, features more than 50 food vendors, craft beer and a wine garden, plus chef demonstrations and free samples. There’s also plenty for the kids, including a virtual reality gaming area, rock wall and butterfly exhibit. Other highlights include aerial trapeze yoga and an art tent. Entry into the event is $5 per day for adults and free for children under 10.
Wine pairing dinner at The Halyard at Sound View
The Halyard restaurant’s executive chef Stephan Bogardus is presenting a four-course dinner featuring wine pairings by the esteemed DAOU Vineyards of Paso Robles, Calif. The intimate culinary event is being held in The Halyard’s library overlooking the Long Island Sound.
The salad course, featuring greens from KK’s The Farm in Southold, will be paired with sauvignon blanc. The second course is chilled Wesnofske Farms’ corn soup comprised of fresh lobster, summer truffle and chervil served with chardonnay. The third course, confit pork belly, is paired with cabernet sauvignon. And the fourth course is a Valrhona dark chocolate served with a dessert wine.
Tickets for the Aug. 13 dinner are $120 and can be purchased here. Limit seating is available.
Riverhead Cardboard Boat Race
Ready your cardboard and duct tape for the annual Riverhead Cardboard Boat Race, set for Saturday, Aug. 1o. The event attracts hundreds to the dock to cheer on the duct-taped vessels. Get there early to secure your spot on the waterfront. The event starts at 9 a.m.
For rules and other details, visit riverheadchamber.com, or call (631) 727-7600.
Dinner at 8 Hands Farm
What better way to enjoy the bounty of August then dining at the farm at which it is grown? The sustainable family farm is helping connect customers to their food during a farm dinner Saturday, Aug. 3 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. The menu will include Peruvian style chicken paired with lots of sides. 8 Hands will also be highlighting a farm-inspired beer that evening, which is included with dinner. Space is limited.
Sign up at the 8 Hands Farm store in Cutchogue, or via email at [email protected].
Art in the Park: Reflextions
“Art in the Park: Reflextions” has returned to Grangebel Park for the month of August. The popular lighted art exhibit, which made its debut last year, features all of the previous exhibits as well as three new ones, including Riverhead Rocks, a display of large letter-shaped cages filled with fluorescent painted rocks lit by black light. “Art in the Park: Reflextions” will take place Aug. 1, 15, 16, and 17. The Aug. 1 and Aug. 15 events will coincide with Alive on 25, when Main Street is closed and the downtown features food trucks, crafts and live bands.
Learn more at riverheadbid.com
Farm-to-table cooking class at Treiber Farms
Learn how to prepare fresh local produce straight from the source. Event company, Cook Space BK, is teaming up with Treiber Farms in Southold for a farm-to-table cooking class on Friday, Aug. 16. Farmer and co-owner Peter Treiber will be on hand to provide unique insights into the farm. After sunset cocktails and a tour, guests will learn how to cook what’s on the farm stand before dining al fresco on the meal they’ve helped create. The class is BYOB.
Tickets are $145, and can be purchased here.
Bug Light Cruise and Tour
See one of the North Fork’s most historic sites while getting out on the water. The East End Seaport Museum’s Bug Light Cruise and Tour launches from the Greenport docks on several dates in August. The first one of the month is on Saturday, Aug. 3 at 4:30 p.m. The two-hour cruise heads to the Long Beach Bar “Bug” Lighthouse while guests learn about the lighthouse and its surroundings.
Visit eastendseaport.org for more info and additional cruises.
