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Maritime Festival returns to Greenport this weekend. (Photo Courtesy East End Seaport Museum)

After a hiatus in 2020, the East End Seaport Museum & Maritime Foundation Maritime Festival returns for its 31st year this weekend.

The celebration of Greenport’s history begins on Friday, Sept. 17 with the Land & Sea Gala at Greenport Yacht & Shipbuilding Co. (201 Carpenter Street). The gala will include bites from Claudio’s, Ellen’s On Front, Southold General, Noah’s and more, with Greenport Harbor Brewery, Lieb Cellars and other breweries and wineries providing refreshments and libations.

On Saturday, Sept. 18 and Sunday, Sept. 19, the streets of Greenport will be blocked to traffic and lined with vendors offering food, wine and beer tastings and artisan crafts for sale. Nearby Mitchell Park and vicinity will stay busy all day, playing host to historic tall ships, nautical demonstrations, family activities, kayak races, Irish step dancing performances and more.

One of the festival’s highlights is the Merry Merfolk Parade at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 18, where members of the community of all ages are welcome to dress up as mermaids, pirates and sea creatures. In a post-parade ceremony in Mitchell Park, prizes will be given out for the most creative and fabulous costume. (Participation is free, although donations are welcome and online registration is required.)

This year, the Maritime Festival Grand Marshalls are Capt. Mark Phillips, Mary Bess Phillips and their son, Nate Phillips. Capt. Phillips is one of the last commercial fishermen in Greenport, and wife Mary Bess is a Village Trustee.

Check out the full schedule below. For more information, visit the East End Seaport website.

A scene from a previous East End Maritime Festival. (Credit: Jeremy Garretson)

Saturday, September 18, 2021

10:00 a.m. Maritime Festival Opens

10:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Captain Kidd’s Alley (Crafts/Treasure Chest/Mitchell Park)

11:00 a.m. Maritime Festival Parade (Broad & Main to Front & 3rd)

12:00 p.m. Merry Merfolk Contest Judging (Mitchell Park)

12:00 p.m. Children’s Games on the Green (Mitchell Park)

1:30 .p.m. F/V Illusion – Working Fishing Boat (Commercial Dock)

2:00 p.m. Kayak Races Setup and Registration

3:00 p.m. Kayak Races Begin

4:30 p.m. Bug Light Cruise & Tour (register at East End Seaport Museum)

6:00 p.m. Streets open to vehicular traffic

All are welcome to don costumes and march in the festival’s Merry Merfolk Parade. (Credit: Jeremy Garretson)

Sunday, September 19, 2021

10:00 a.m. Maritime Festival Opens

10:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Captain Kidd’s Alley (Crafts/Treasure Chest/Mitchell Park)

11:30 a.m. F/V Illusion – Working Fishing Boat (Waterfront)

12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.  Coast Guard Search & Rescue Demonstration

1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. Snapper Fishing Contest (ages 8 and under) – RR/Commercial Dock

5:00 p.m. Eastern Long Island Hospital “Dream Green” Raffle Drawing (Mitchell Park)

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