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Photography by Jeremy Garretson

The ‘no shoes, no problem’ season is here. Make the most of it with this summer bucket list of North Fork happenings and events. 

JUNE

School is out, strawberries are in. Summer is welcomed with arms wide open.

Summer Concert Series Begins, June 4

Kickoff summer with the Mattituck Park District’s Summer Concert Series. The first of six dates is set for Saturday, June 4 from 5 to 7:30 p.m. and will feature East End reggae favorite Winston Irie & Selective Security. There will be local food and beverage available for purchase as well as a “Biergarten” in the Community Room. Bring your blankets and lawn chairs and summer vibes. Visit, mattituckparkdistrict.org for details. 

Tour an Oyster Farm, June 5

From 2 to 4 p.m., tour an oyster farm and learn the process of farming local oysters. The tour follows the life cycle of an oyster from the spawning process through the grow-out phase as well as the gear used to farm oysters. Your experience concludes with an oyster shucking lesson and a beachfront sample tasting of the farm’s Southold Shindig Oysters. Tickets cost $75 per person and must be purchased in advance. Visit southoldbayoysters.com/Farm-Tours.html for more. 

Head to the Strawberry Festival, June 15-19

This year marks the 67th Annual Strawberry Festival. To kick it all off, a night of strawberry hulling is back, and don’t miss the crowning of the new Strawberry Queen. Throughout the weekend, treat yourself to a strawberry shortcake and other sweets, amusement rides, craft vendors and fireworks. For tickets and details, visit mattituckstrawberryfestival.org

Savor local food and wine at Rotary Uncorked, June 16

Rotary Uncorked returns for its 15th year, at RGNY in Riverhead. Savor food and wine from many of the North Fork’s top restaurants and wineries as they gather for a tasting event that will not disappoint. Tickets cost $125 per person and proceeds benefit the Riverhead Rotary’s charitable efforts. For info and tickets, visit riverheadrotary.org

Photography by Felicia LaLomia

Pick Berries on the summer solstice, June 21

Celebrate the summer solstice with a U-pick berry session. Head to Patty’s Berries and Bunches in Mattituck for the ultimate way to welcome the new season. Strawberries are shortly followed by raspberries, and both are ripe and plentiful this month. Insider tip: Also look out for the farm’s snap pea U-pick happening this month too. Visit pattysberriesandbunches.org for more information. 

Relax in a field of lavender, June 23

Frolic in an intoxicating field of lavender. Visit Lavender by the Bay’s East Marion and Calverton locations as their English lavender should be in full bloom from mid to late June. To track the bloom and for more information about your visit, head to lavenderbythebay.com

Photography by Michelina Da Fonte

Have lunch in a barn, June 25

On Saturday, June 25 from 1 to 6 p.m., enjoy a day of delicious food at Treiber Farm’s Sandita Luncheon Pop-Up. Chef and food stylist Sandy Ho will be creating a dining experience like no other in a setting that will charm you. For details and tickets, visit treiberfarms.com

Listen to jazz on the lawn, June 26

On Sunday, June 26, head to the lawn of the New Suffolk Waterfront from 7 to 9 p.m. Bring your own picnic blanket and spread and soak in this summer Sunday evening against the most gorgeous backdrop of New Suffolk. Visit newsuffolkwaterfront.org for more information. 

JULY

Fireworks, parades, lobster, and dancing – something for everyone.

Attend a summer street festival, July 1

Kick off the month with Alive on 25 — a Summer Street Festival in downtown Riverhead. From 5 until 9:30 p.m., there will be six stages filled with live music, local restaurants, street vendors, food trucks, craft beverages, kid’s activities, artists and more. At 9:15 p.m., walk over to Grangebel Park to view fireworks celebrating Independence Day. 

Celebrate Independence Day with a small-town parade, July 4

The 24th Annual Southold Village Merchants July 4th Parade kicks off at noon on Boisseau Avenue and makes its way along Route 25 to Tuckers Lane. Get there early to snag a spot and don’t forget your chair! 

Photography by Jeremy Garretson

Eat local corn at a corn festival, July 16-17

Perfect for the whole family to enjoy, Harbes Family Farm in Mattituck is hosting their Annual Sweet Corn Harvest and Festival from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. all weekend. Back for 2022 is their corn eating contest which will be held in the Barnyard Adventure Saturday and Sunday at both 2:30 and 4:30 p.m. There will be live music and the wine barn will also be open. 

Drink, eat and dance the night away for a good cause, July 20

Attend Eastern Long Island Hospital Foundation’s first annual Dancing on the Dock Summer Party hosted by Claudio’s Waterfront & Wharf on Wednesday from 5 to 9 p.m. There will be delicious food stations, passed hors d’oeuvres, auctions, cocktails and a DJ. Tickets cost $250 per person. More details at elih.stonybrookmedicine.edu/events/summerparty

Feast on lobster, July 30

LobsterFest is back at the Wharf House at Founder’s Landing. Presented by the Greenport and Southold Rotary Clubs and benefiting local community service projects this great event is your chance to dine on delicious lobster (or steak!) from 5 to 8 p.m. on the last Saturday of the month. Kid’s meals are available, too. For pricing and tickets, visit portal.clubrunner.ca/1772

Photography by David Benthal

Line dance in an old barn, July 30

Hop into your boots and head over to Hallockville Museum Farm for their annual Barn Dance from 6 to 9:30 p.m. There, you’ll dig into a BBQ dinner and locally crafted drinks before dancing the night away to live music. Famed caller Chart Guthrie will lead the group through traditional country line dancing in the Naugles Barn. Tickets for this elevated evening are $150 per person. To purchase tickets visit, hallockville.org

AUGUST

A month made to be enjoyed outdoors brings time on the water and in the garden.

Get the kids to cook, August 4

Bring the kids (ages 2–10) to Garden of Eve Farm in Riverhead for a Tots Cooking Class every Thursday from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. throughout the month. The hands-on classes include a harvest tour where the cooks will gather the ingredients they need and bring them back to the farm to turn their bounty into delectable delicacies to enjoy at home. For class specifics, pricing and to register, visit gardenofeve.com/kidsprograms.

Check out a skatepark mega-festival, August 6

Something new hits the North Fork this summer. From 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., a skatepark mega-festival is taking place in the Greenport Skate Park. Attendees can look forward to over 100 artists, clothing, and craft vendors and demonstrators within the skateboarding lifestyle. There will also be live music, local food, a graffiti and mural contest and more. Check @greenportskatepark on Instagram for updates and details. 

Attend a potluck dinner on a farm, August 7

For the first time ever, join your neighbors and the folks at Browder’s Birds from 5 to 8 p.m. for a potluck dinner on the farm followed by a guided pasture walk. Bring a dish to share and BYOB. Compostable plates and cutlery will be provided. All ages are welcome and be sure to wear suitable shoes for the walk. Tickets are $25 per family and can be purchased at browdersbirds.com/happenings.

Photography by Michelina Da Fonte

View art after dark, August 12

View art after dark with Reflextions Riverhead: Art in the Park. From 7 to 10 p.m., Grangebel Park will be filled with illuminated designs for a walkable experience of light including LED, incandescent, fire, blacklight, Day-Glo and photoluminescent displays. Visit reflextionsriverhead.com for more info.

Fish off a wharf, August 15

Learn the how-tos of fishing with Tom Mangiamele at Steamboat Wharf at the New Suffolk Waterfront. In this kid-friendly session, participants will learn how to fish with real bait, how to cast with artificial bait, fishing safety, care of equipment, and fishing techniques. Visit newsuffolkwaterfront.org for more details. 

Get out on the water, ladies, August 20

Calling all seafaring ladies, the empowering boater’s class just for women, Women Making Waves, is back at Port of Egypt. From 8:30 a.m. to noon, participants will learn nautical terms, safety at sea, the “before you get underway” checklist, how to use a VHF marine radio, how to tie up a boat and a docking lesson. The group will also embark on a class cruise with on-the-water instruction, navigation basics and instructions on how to set an anchor. Class tickets cost $199 per person and can be purchased at poemarine.com

Stroll in a lush garden, August 26

As late summer brings lush plantings, you’ll want to stroll Landcraft Garden Foundation’s breathtaking grounds and gardens. Every Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., take in scenes of the pollinator path, pool and knot gardens, meadows, ponds and more. General admission is $15 per person, student/senior admission is $12 and children ages 2-12 years are $5. More details at landcraftgardenfoundation.org.

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