April is the perfect time to be outside as the weather warms and trees and flowers begin to bloom into brilliant pinks and greens. From historic walks to comedy shows, flower festivals and much more, we’ve curated a perfect blend of indoor and outdoor entertainment and activities for you to try this month.
Catch a comedy show
Laugh out loud at the latest installment of Comedy Night at the Center for Advocacy, Support and Transformation in Southold on Saturday, April 1. Producers D.C. Benny and Jim O’Doherty have an awesome lineup that will feature Marla Schultz, who has performed with Chelsea Handler and on the TV show “Girls Behaving Badly” and headliner Dean Edwards, who has appeared on “Saturday Night Live” and “Tiffany Haddish Presents: They Ready” on Netflix. Beer, wine and small bites will be served at an opening reception at 7 p.m. and the show starts at 8 p.m.
Tickets are $75 per person and can be purchased at castcomedyapril.givesmart.com.
See one million tulips burst into bloom
OK, this is slightly off the North Fork. But we’d be remiss if we didn’t mention the insanely colorful explosion that is the annual tulip festival at Waterdrinker Family Farm & Garden in Manorville.
The festival is expected to open this month with breathtaking, vivid rows of tulips reminiscent of the Netherlands. Visitors can stroll through the fields throughout the bloom, stopping along the way to pose with bicycles, windmills, clogs and other Dutch-inspired props.
The farm also features activities for all ages, from miniature golf to visiting barnyard animals and a wooden play structure. And be sure to visit the Long Island Farm Brewery next door, which typically brews up a Dutch Pilsner for the occasion.
Located just south of Exit 69 off the Long Island Expressway, Waterdrinker is a perfect pit stop on your way to the North Fork!
The tulip festival is expected to kick off in April. Stay tuned for details and an official opening date at water-drinker.com.
Give back to Mother Earth
Celebrate Earth Day with a beach cleanup on Saturday, April 22. The Peconic Land Trust and Surfrider Foundation are teaming up to clear debris from Iron Pier Beach in Jamesport to help maintain a healthy marine environment for wildlife and humans alike.
The cleanup will take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and parking passes are available for those who don’t have a Riverhead resident beach sticker.
Bring water, work gloves and enthusiasm and find more information at peconiclandtrust.org.
Rock out to Queen
The Suffolk in Riverhead will channel the spirit of Freddie Mercury as they host The Ultimate Queen Celebration on Saturday, April 22.
Sing along to your favorite iconic hits and enjoy an electric performance brought to life by Yvan Pedneault.
Pedneault was 25 years old when Brian May and Roger Taylor selected him for the role of Galileo in their Canadian production of the rock musical “We Will Rock You.”
This latest venture has united him once again with his love for Queen and the tribute is currently on its first North American tour.
Doors open at 7 p.m. and tickets ($45+) can be purchased at thesuffolk.org
Run amidst the cherry blossoms
At the end of the month, cherry blossoms will once again bloom in Greenport Village. The 2023 Cherry Blossom Festival will kick off with the Cherry Blossom Run for the Petals 5K on Saturday, April 29, at 9 a.m. starting on Washington Ave.
Sign up for the race to get a first glimpse at the more than 300 cherry blossom trees planted throughout the village. Registration to be open soon.
The annual festival, organized by the AgroCouncil, continues into the month of May with a self-guided walking tour and cherry blossom-inspired offerings at area restaurants and businesses. For more information, visit agrocouncil.org.
“Geek out” over wine
In partnership with The Cornell Cooperative Grape Extension Program, Chronicle Wines invites you to learn and talk with other “wine geeks” about uncommon grapes sourced from The Cornell Research Vineyard in Riverhead.
During this conversation, learn about winemaking with Chronicle Wines co-founder and winemaker Robin Epperson-McCarthy and The Cornell Cooperative’s viticulturist and educator Alice Wise. You’ll also have the chance to taste these five experimental wines and enjoy a light menu. Be the first to try their 2022 Arneis, Petit Manseng, Fluertai, Soreli, and Albariño, all of which were specially preserved for this event.
This exclusive event will be held on Friday, April 21 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Chronicle Wines in Peconic. Tickets are $35 and Wine Club members will save $10 for this event. Book your tickets here before they sell out!
Eat local during Long Island Restaurant Week
This tri-annual event makes its return to the North Fork this month. In celebration of all of the fantastic and delicious food Long Island has to offer, this spring’s Long Island Restaurant Week will showcase four North Fork restaurants with more to come. Beginning April 23, patrons can enjoy eight days of deals from some of Long Island’s best restaurants.
A $27, $37 or $44 prix-fixe, three-course dinner menu, as well as a $22 two course lunch options, will be offered by The Dimon Estate, Cooperage Inn, The Preston House and On the Docks, and their menus will be posted soon.
Check out the full list of participating restaurants and make your reservations on LIRW’s website.
Drink your way through Riverhead
Join Hotel Indigo and Bistro 72 for their spring brewery tour. On April 1 and April 15, participating guests can jump on the opportunity to tour two local breweries when you book this deal for two! On this tour, you’ll check out Twin Forks Beer Co. and Long Ireland Beer Co — both of which are staples to the Riverhead brewery scene.
Along with your tour, enjoy your overnight stay at the stylish Hotel Indigo in Riverhead. Make sure to book reservations for dinner at Bistro 72 and enjoy delicious food while listening to local live music from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
A room for two is $275 plus tax and includes transportation to two East End Breweries. To book your room and tour, call (631)-369-2200.
Check out the East End Food Market before it closes
April is your last chance to pursue all of the local produce and products the East End Food Market has to offer before they close their winter season. A perfect “first stop” on your tour of the North Fork, enjoy trying farm fresh produce, seafood, wine and beer, baked goods, crafts and much more!
The Riverhead-based market is open Saturday mornings from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. until April 29. Chat with vendors and learn about the local culture before it’s too late. To see a full list of vendors and pop-ups, check out the East End Food Institute’s website.
Walk with history
Hallockville Museum Farm is now offering you the chance to walk in nature and learn with their spring Walking History Tours. Beginning April 15, learn about the War of 1812 with local historian Richard Wines. Wines will take you to the northwest corner of Hallock State Park where the battle “Defense of the cutter Eagle” took place over 200 years ago. Learn how local militia held off British warships for three days in October of 1812. The walk-and-talk tour starts promptly at 1 p.m. at the park’s visitor center.
The Walking History Tours are offered throughout May and June as well — each led by an expert who will discuss an important, and not often mentioned piece of East End history. Other tours include Architecture at Hallockville, The Polish Immigrant Experience, and Gardens at Hallockville. To see a full list of tours and dates and to reserve your spot now, check out their website.
