East End Columbus Day Weekend Fall Festivals

Looking for something to do over the holiday weekend that will amuse the entire family? You’ve got your pick of East End fall festivals and fairs.

Groundworks at Hrens (530 Montauk Highway, East Hampton, 631-324-7373, www.groundworkslandscaping.com) is presenting its 5th Annual Fall Festival on Saturday, October 7 and Sunday, October 8, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. In addition to a pumpkin bounce house, kids hay bale maze, games, and fresh hot mini cinnamon donuts, this year’s happening will include a new mini golf nine hole game for adults and children. On Sunday only, a Petting Zoo will be stopping by for a meet and greet with adorable farm animals and pony rides. Admission is $20 at door, but free for children 10-years-old and younger.

Seafood will be plentiful at the 6th Annual Westhampton Beach Oyster Festival. (Photo: www.facebook.com)

The 36th Annual Montauk Fall Festival, sponsored by the Montauk Chamber of Commerce, will offer two days of exciting autumn activities on the Green in downtown Montauk (631-668-2428, www.montaukchamber.com). The holiday weekend happening will take place from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, October 7 and Sunday, October 8. The Festival launches with its “Famous Clam Chowder Contest” at 11 a.m., where festivalgoers can taste a variety of spectacular chowders from local restaurants that will be available “until they run out” which is typically around 1 p.m. Both days will feature children’s activities – like inflatable rides, face painting, pumpkin decorating, crab races, a free 30-horse carousel, and more – The Lynn Blue Band is headlining Saturday from 2 to 5 p.m., delicious Oktoberfest style food, clams and oysters, and Long Island wines and beer will be available for purchase, and on Saturday, under the tent, a Sports Memorabilia auction and local artists’ works will be on display. Sunday will include music from The 3 B’s, a Chinese Auction under the tent, and the Cash Catch drawing, with cash prizes up to $20,000, at 4:30 p.m. North Fork Trolley Co. will offer free trolleys between downtown and the Montauk Lighthouse, the Harbor and LIRR station, and Hampton Jitney will run complimentary, local, intra-town service for those traveling from Southampton, Bridgehampton, East Hampton and Amagansett to Montauk. Reservations are required for the Jitney service and can be made at 631-283-4600.

Kiwanis Club of Greater Westhampton Beach’s 6th Annual Westhampton Beach Oyster Festival at the Village Marina (Library Avenue, Westhampton, whboysterfest.com) will be held on Saturday, October 7 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Festivalgoers will enjoy fun for kids and adults, amazing seafood and BBQ, local craft, seasonal and domestic beers, Long Island wines, live music, a New England Clam Chowder Contest, with entries from Sydney’s Taylor-Made Cuisine, Shuckers Lobster & Clam Bar, CowFish/Rumba, and Justin’s Chophouse, an interactive pirate show, treasure hunts, sword-fighting lessons, bounce houses, an obstacle course, face painting, pumpkin painting, and Jester Jim. Admission is free, with a suggested donation of $5 per person or $20 per family, with proceeds benefiting programs serving children and families sponsored by the Kiwanis Club.

​St. Mary’s Episcopal Church Fall Festival will offer a variety of children’s games. (Photo: www.facebook.com)

Greater Westhampton Chamber of Commerce’s 3rd Annual Harvest Festival will take place on Main Street in Westhampton Beach (631-288-3337, www.westhamptonchamber.org) on Saturday, October 7 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. The Festival will feature live music, food, beverages and kids’ activities and the Annual Arts and Crafts Show on the Village Green.

​St. Mary’s Episcopal Church (165 Ponquogue Avenue, Hampton Bays, 631-728-0776, www.stmaryshb.org) will host its 2nd Annual Fall Festival on Saturday, October 7 from 12 to 5 p.m. The afternoon will highlight affordable fun for the entire family, including a pumpkin patch – where attendees can find the perfect pumpkin and then decorate it – face painting, miniature horse cart rides, children’s games, mums, jams and baked goods, bites and sips, and products from local vendors. A Blessing of the Animals Service will be held before the Festival at 11:30 a.m.

The 42nd Annual Riverhead Country Fair, one of the largest festivals in New York State, will take place at Main Street and Peconic Avenue in Riverhead (riverheadcountryfair.com) on Sunday, October 8 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Fair features original artwork, agricultural and homemaking displays, competitions, authors, entertainers, local merchants, food, amusement rides, pony rides, business expositions and displays, and irresistible bites.