Widgets Magazine

The North Fork Celebrates America's Independence! Plus Antiques, Art Openings, Music & Wine

The North Fork is an old place, with very deep roots. No surprise that this weekend includes a classic village parade, a Benjamin Franklin play, a Heritage Day celebration that involves a reading of the Declaration of Independence.  Hundreds-year old buildings are open for touring, hundreds-year old quilts and signs are on exhibit. Two firework shows--Friday & Saturday--provide immediate, in the moment fun too. Keeping you in the now are all the live music offerings too, which range from high end classical to alternative and everything in between. Catch a show in Greenport's Mitchell Park, or any of the couple dozen indoor venues offering music.

Like antiques? The Cutchogue-New Suffolk Historical Society is putting on its 50th annual show and sale. And then there's all the usual farm, vineyard and downtown shopping goodness...

The Highlights

(Click a title to reach the full listings for that type of event)

 Fireworks & Independence Celebrations

Start celebrating America's birth on the 4th, with the Southold parade and the Greenport fireworks. Continue on the morning of the 5th by enjoying a play about Ben Franklin staged by local actors.  On the 6th, the Oysterponds Historical Society leads the Heritage Day celebrations, including a parade and a reading of the Declaration of Independence.

The weekend offers two festivals--the Greenport Carnival and the Cutchogue antiques sale and festival (pony rides!).

Festivals
Food, Farm & Vineyard

In addition to the usual treats, Dilberto Winery releases its 2013 Chardonnay, Laurel Lake Vineyards pairs wine with chocolate and tarts, and you can walk your dog around Martha Clara Vineyard while supporting the local shelters.

Live Music

From classical music at the Perlman Music Program to more than a dozen bands of varied types at vineyards, restaurants, bars, and a park, you can find something you'd enjoy listening to at a place you want to hear it.

Visual & Performing Arts

Four exhibits open (or invite you to meet the artist at a reception.) Check out the new paintings or the 400 years of quilts; visit one of the many ongoing shows.

History

Beyond all of the historical Fourth of July celebrations sketched above, the Southold Historical Society opens its incredible collection of buildings to the public. The Cutchogue Historical Society's buildings are also open, as is the Horton Point Lighthouse. Take a tour of Shelter Island's historic Sylvester Manor on Saturday. Or peruse two special exhibits--one about a local War of 1812 battle, and one featuring very old, local signs.

Outdoors, Land, Sky & Sea

As ever, enjoy our beautiful beaches, parks, fishing boats,  and public observatory.

Fireworks & Independence Celebrations
  • Southold Village 17th Annual Fourth Of July Parade', Southold. True wholesome Americana including kids on decked out bikes. Friday Only Noon-2pm. Details.
  • Fireworks  Greenport. Fireworks  Saturday and Sunday night cap the annual classic carnival complete with rides, games, funnel cake, etc. Carnival gate opens at 6 pm.; Fireworks, which you can see without going to the carnival, start at 10 pm  Friday and Saturday;. Details.
  • The Life of Ben Franklin performance, Southold. The Southold Free Library hosts. As described by the library's newsletter: "Local actors Phil Reichert and Alan Stewart bring to life one of America’s starring Founding Fathers and his son, William. At the start of their relationship, they were the closest of father and son, but when the War for Independence begins, they will find themselves at odds with each other." Saturday Only, 11 am. Details.
  • Heritage Day, Orient. From the Oysterponds Historical Society's website: "a home-grown celebration of local history and culture. Parade down Village Lane in Orient (gathering on Oysterponds Lane at 11:30) - decorated bicycles, vintage vehicles and pets on leashes welcome! We’ll march to the Old Point Schoolhouse to read the Declaration of Independence, then head over to Poquatuck Park for a picnic, games and local music."  Sunday Only Noon-3 pm Details.
Festivals
  • Fireworks & Carnival! Greenport. Fireworks  Saturday and Sunday night cap the annual classic carnivalThe fire department's annual carnival complete with rides, games, funnel cake, etc. Friday and Saturday; Carnival gate opens at 6 pm.; Fireworks, which you can see without going to the carnival,, start at 10 pm . Details.
  • 50th Annual Antiques Show and Sale, Cutchogue.  The Cutchogue-New Suffolk Historical Council invite you to the Village Green for great shopping and pony rides, 7:30 am-4:30 pm  Details.
Food, Farm & Vineyard

Friday

  • Winemaker's Studio, Peconic. Happy hour! 5-7 pm. Details.
  • Dilberto Winery, Jamesport. For a fun and casual start to your weekend dining, enjoy two glasses of wine and a pizza at Dilberto's Winery. 5-8 pm. Details.
  • Martha Clara Vineyards-Vines & Canines, Riverhead east. Stroll through the vineyard with your dog and help the local shelters.  10-noon. Details.

Saturday

  • Greenport Farmer's Market, Greenport. Local produce, poultry, eggs, shellfish, cheese, bread, wine, preserves, and more.  9 am to 1 pm. Details.
  • Sang Lee Farms-Yoga!, Peconic. Yoga on the farm  & organic veggie juice. 9-10:30 am. Details.
  • Sang Lee Farms Tour, Peconic. Tour organic farm fields, greenhouses and barn. Enjoy an amazing tasting of delicious vegetables and prepared products from the Sang Lee Kitchen.  11-12:30 pm. Details.
  • Sannino Bella Vita Vineyard-Vine To Wine Tour, Peconic. The most comprehensive wine tour in the region, at the first custom winemaking center on the North Fork, hosted  by Anthony Sannino, owner and winemaker.  Reservations required. 1 pm. Details.
  • Winemaker's Studio, Peconic. Happy hour! 5-7 pm. Details.
  • Castello Di Borghese Vineyard, Cutchogue invites you to tour its winery and production facility, and taste its wine. Saturday from 1-3 pm. Details.
  • Bursting with Flavor Food Demo, Cutchogue. The Cutchogue-New Suffolk Library host Chef Rob Scott as he offers this delicious food demonstration of Greek orzo and grilled shrimp with mustard-dill vinaigrette, crab and scallion stuffed artichoke heart, and watermelon fire and ice salsa. Registration required. 2 pm. Details.
  • Shinn Estates Vineyard & Farmhouse, Mattituck offers a couple of ways to experience wine and wine making. Walk the vineyard with Barbara Shinn, Learn about sustainable, organic and Biodynamic winegrowing. Taste four wines. 1:30 to 2 pm, Details. Prefer to be indoors? Tour the winery and barrel center starting at 2:30, also involving a taste of four wines. Details.
  • Dilberto Winery--2013 Chardonnay Release, Jamesport.  wine  & homemade pizza all weekend; raw oyster/clam bar 2-5 PM. Details.

Sunday

  • Sannino Bella Vita Vineyard-Vine To Wine Tour, Peconic. The most comprehensive wine tour in the region, at the first custom winemaking center on the North Fork, hosted  by Anthony Sannino, owner and winemaker.  1 pm. Details.
  • Winemaker's Studio, Peconic. Happy hour! 5-7 pm. Details.
  • Lieb Cellars Oregon Road-Yard Sale!, Cutchogue. Wines 50% off, 8 am to noon, only in person at Oregon Road. Details.
  • Shinn Estates Vineyard & Farmhouse, Mattituck offers a couple of ways to experience wine and wine making. Walk the vineyard with Barbara Shinn, Learn about sustainable, organic and Biodynamic winegrowing. Taste four wines. 1:30 to 2 pm, Details. Prefer to be indoors? Tour the winery and barrel center starting at 2:30, also involving a taste of four wines. Details.
Live Music

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

Visual & Performing Arts

Friday

  • Opening: Greenport Harbor Brewery, Greenport. Exhibiting "Sanctuary" by Danielle Malmet Rodger. Tasting Room/Gallery hours : Friday & Saturday 12-7 pm,  Sunday to Thursday, 12-6 pm,  Runs July 4 to Sept. 1st. Reception Thurs July 27th 5-8 pm. Details.

Saturday

  • Oyster Ponds Historical Society, Orient. Opening "Quilty Pleasures: Four Centuries of Quilts. 2-5 pm; reception on the gorgeous grounds 5-7 pm. Details.
  • Gallery Crossing--Artist's Reception, Peconic.  Local fine artists, Susanne Corbelletta and Aubrey Grainger exhibit oils featuring scenes from local surroundings lit in our unique light. Exhibit runs July 3 to July 15. Reception 430-630. Gallery Open Thurs-Mon 12-7 pm. Details.
  • Mattituck-Laurel Library--Artist's Reception, Mattituck. All month the library will show The Eye of the Beholder, paintings by Marion Wips. A reception with Wips will be held from 2:00 to 3:45 pm. Details.

All Weekend Ongoing

  • East End Seaport Museum, Greenport. Open daily 1-5 pm; the Blacksmith opens 11 am-5 pm on Sunday. Details.
  • Gallery M.  Greenport. Open 11-7 Weekend Days. Details.
  • South Street Gallery, Greenport. Showing "Departure" by  Wendy Prellwitz, Open Thurs-Mon 12-5 pm. Details.
  • Cindy Pease Roe Studio & Gallery, Greenport . Open Thurs-Mon 1-5  Details.
  • Cosden-Price Gallery, Southold. The Southold Historical Society presents "Rhythm and Blues", paintings by abstract expressionist Barbara Bilotta. Runs July 3-Aug. 2. Reception 5-7 pm. Details.
  • Rothman's Gallery, Southold. Retrospective exhibition of expressionist painter Cynthia Wells. Details.
  • Gallery Crossing, Peconic.  Local fine artists, Susanne Corbelletta and Aubrey Grainger exhibit oils featuring scenes from local surroundings lit in our unique light. Exhibit runs July 3 to July 15. Open Thurs-Mon 12-7 pm. Details.
  • Cutchogue Library Gallery, Cutchogue, Exhibiting Wendy Prellwitz, open when the library is.  Details.
  • Alex Ferrone Gallery, Cutchogue, Swells & Swirls, the fine art photography of Matt Clark & Mike DiRenzo. Through July 20. Thurs-Sun 11-6 pm.  Details.
  • Mattituck-Laurel Library, Mattituck. All month the library will show The Eye of the Beholder, paintings by Marion Wips.  Details.
  • Rosalie Dimon Gallery: Jamesport. Showing  Anahi DeCanio & Michael Maas through July 30th.  Wed-Sun Noon-10 pm . Details.
  • The Barn at Jedediah Hawkins, Jamesport. Nature's Call: A Return to Silence, photographs by Peter Azrak. Opens at 5 pm. Details

Mattituck Movie Theater Shows all week; listings here.

History
  • Sylvester Manor House and Grounds Tours, Shelter Island.  The house tours are guided and require reservations; the grounds you can explore on your own.  From the website: "Sylvester Manor is a former provisioning plantation, set up in 1652 on fertile soil at the head of a protected harbor on Shelter Island, New York. Originally owned by an English/Dutch sugar consortium to supply the triangle trade, and operated by enslaved Africans and indentured or paid Native American and European laborers, it has in the last two centuries also been an enlightenment-era farm serving regional markets and the country estate of one of America’s first food industrialists, Eben Norton Horsford, inventor of baking powder and the father of modern food chemistry...." More history here.  Saturday Only, 1-4 pm Details.
  • Maple Lane Complex, Southold. These crown jewels of the Southold Historical Society open for the summer on Saturday, July 5, and are open Saturday, Sunday and Wednesday 1-4 pm. Details.
  • Historic Sign Exhibit, Southold. historic signs that were created on Long Island between 1830 and 1930. Runs from July 5 through October 12. Saturday, Sunday and Wednesday 1-4 pm  Details.
  • The Horton Point Lighthouse, Southold, is one of the Southold Historical Society's many treasures. Originally designed by George Washington, it is now home to a nautical museum. Open Saturday and Sunday 11:30 am - 4pm.  Details.
  • Historic Buildings & Carriage House Gift Shop, Cutchogue. Open for the summer season 1-4 pm.  Details.
  • Hallockville Museum Farm--"Defense of the Eagle", Riverhead East.   Learn about an overlooked naval battle that took place right here on the shores of the Long Island Sound during the War of 1812! Hallockville commemorates the 200th anniversary of the Battle of the Eagle which took place over three days in 1814. Fri-Sun 12-4 pm. Details.
Outdoors, Land, Sky & Sea
  • Orient Beach State Park, Orient Point, offers a huge range of outdoor activities, including canoeing, hiking, paddle boarding, and swimming. Details.
  • The Custer Institute, Southold, is the oldest public observatory on Long Island. On Saturday nights from dark until midnight they give guided tours of the heavens, clouds permitting. Saturday the moon will be a quarter-moon, not ideal for stargazing. Details.