While the calendar may say it’s not so, the arrival of Labor Day signals the start of school and the end of summer for many. Given that this blog is written as a part of the Fire Island News, catered mostly towards sunshine and beach lovers, this may be a sad fact.
However, as a fellow South Shore lover, I’ve decided to use my last post this summer season to keep you excited about all the opportunities there are to have fun on this island we all call home! I’ve personally been ready for the end of summer for a few weeks now, simply because I absolutely love the fall … especially on Long Island.
This is the first time in four years that I will be home for the entire fall and winter. From pumpkin picking, farmer’s markets and corn mazes to Christmas tree cutting and light shows, I am very ready to ring in the new seasons. And, to help you share in this excitement, I’ve studied a list of local festivals and events in the coming months. I’ll share those that were most compelling below.
South Shore Events:
Babylon Fair at Argyle Park and Gazebo on Sept. 18, from 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
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Hopefully the air will have turned crisp and cool by this point, and what better way to celebrate the arrival of fall than an outdoor craft fair. Maybe you’ll even get a head start on holiday shopping (say goodbye to that seasonal stress!).
Patchogue Fall Festival on Oct. 15, from 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
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Advertised as having a petting zoo, pony rides, pumpkin decorating, chili and chowder contests AND a costume parade. You better believe I’ll be there and I am already planning out a favorite fall outfit to don.
Great Jack-O’-Lantern Spectacular Sail at Belmont Lake State Park in North Babylon on Oct. 29, from 3 p.m.-6 p.m.
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If you’ve had your fill of fall festivals at this point (which I would find nearly impossible), I’d still consider a visit to the end of this event. At 6:15 p.m. the first 50 pumpkins that were carved will be lit and attached to flotation devices to be
sailed around the lake. Now that sounds like a magical, autumn night scene I don’t want to miss!
Craft and Gift Fair at East Islip High School on Nov. 19 and 20, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
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So, if September was too early for you to get going with that holiday shopping, a local South Shore school is giving you another chance to cross at least a few items off your list. After seeing all these local fairs and festivals, a goal of mine is to be halfway done with my shopping before Dec. 1 (we’ll just see how well that goes)!
While those events are certainly enough to ensure a few festive months, there are three more that I wanted to share with you. These aren’t hosted in towns we traditionally cover at this paper, but this is a big island and there is so much cool stuff to explore.
Montauk Fall Festival on the Village Green on Oct. 8 and 9, from 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
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Ever since I was a kid, nothing says fall like a trip out east, and hey, Montauk is on the South Shore; it’s a win-win. If you want to make an entire day out of it, you can head out to Montauk for chowder tasting, a farmer’s market, pumpkin decorating, live music, children’s activities, L.I. booze and more.
Huntington Historical Society Apple Festival at the Daniel W. Kissam House Museum on Oct. 16, from noon to 4 p.m.
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I know, I know, this is on the North Shore. However, in my humble opinion it is simply not fall without an apple festival or apple picking. Aside from local apples and baked goods, there will be hayrides, old-fashioned games, and traditional music. I can already taste the fresh apple crumble!
Riverhead Halloween Fest on Main Street on Oct. 22, from 3 p.m.-7 p.m.
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Any kind of festival or local event that resembles a Halloween celebration I’d see in a Disney movie has my interest. I’ve always heard about the coffin races that occur down Griffing Avenue and maybe this is the year I finally see it for myself.
I must say, it’s been a pleasure getting to explore this place we’re so lucky to call home and to share my discoveries with you. I hope you were inspired to get out there and make some good memories. And if this post tells you anything, the fun around here doesn’t end when summer does, so go have a blast!
Until next summer,
Colleen 🙂
