Southamptonfest Adds Art Zone And Kids Zone To Festival Happenings

The 8th Annual Southamptonfest will take over Southampton Village from Friday, October 12 through Sunday, October 14 – offering three electrifying days of entertainment, art, melodic tunes, food, merriment, and more.

As per usual, SouthamptonFest will launch with the Southampton Rotary Club Cocktail Party in Agawam Park. The Friday night affair, taking place from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., will feature live music from local favorites – including Beau Hulse’s Sinatra Review, the Mean Machine Band, and DJ Tony Kerr, bites from local food trucks, as well as wine and craft beer. Admission is $30 in advance or $40 at the door, with proceeds supporting the Rotary Club’s Scholarship & Endowment Fund.

Then, it’s two days jam-packed with seasonal excitement. Agawam Park will welcome sets from Next Level Band, Little Head Thinks and Roses Grove Band on Saturday, while Sturdy Souls, Southbound Band and the Nancy Atlas Project will perform on Sunday. As the crowd is serenaded by headliners, they can nosh on seasonal fare available for purchase as part of Taste of the East End, peruse the Southampton farmers market, watch Fire and EMS safety demonstrations, pose for a caricature, add a pop of color with face painting, shop the Rogers Memorial Library “Pop-Up”, pop into the Pet Photo Booth by Mary Godfrey, and show off their cornhole skills during tournaments hosted by Southampton Village Emergency Service Department that will take place on both days. Registration takes place from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and the action starts at 1 p.m. The entry fee is $20 per team, and the winner gets half with the rest donated to Southampton Fire Department. There will also be the annual chowder contest, which will be held on Saturday at 12 p.m.

Southampton History Museum will offer two unique tours as part of Tiny House vs Mansion: Which one would You Choose? A Tiny Hamptons home that boasts just 350 sq. ft. and the 20-room Rogers Mansion from the Gilded Age will be on display on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

As you stroll through the Village, keep an eye out for sidewalk sales, and juggling, stilt walking and hula hooping with Keith Leaf Entertainment. Additionally, Southampton Kiwanis Club is presenting a “Community is Key” Scavenger Hunt on both days.

On Sunday, Andrea Cote’s The Radiance Project will wrap up with a special event. “At SouthamptonFest, the public will have the opportunity view the completed tapestries and dance video in the Theater at SAC, and outdoors at 2 p.m., join in by learning the circle dance accompanied by a live drummer, Jerome Liggon,” Cote explained. “In The Radiance Project, my goal was to weave a collaborative community mandala, both physically and symbolically- it acts as a metaphor for all these distinct individuals weaving together to make a whole, and in the end I think that comes through. It is a culmination only at this point in the process – many new relationships were formed, and ideas are bouncing around which will resonate in future events and gatherings.”

This year’s iteration will introduce a special Kids Zone on Main Street, which will be closed to traffic from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. from Cameron Street to Hampton Road. Little ones will keep busy during a myriad of activities, including pumpkin decorating, bubble shows, performances by Jester Jim, a street chalk art contest, soccer and ice hockey interactive sports expos, music by DJ Double S, and more.

“The committee is very excited about the changes we are bringing to this year’s Southamptonfest, namely the creation of a dedicated Kids Zone on Main Street and Arts Zone on the west grounds of 25 Jobs Lane,” noted Kirsten C. Lonnie, Southampton Cultural Center Executive Director and Southamptonfest committee member. “Our lineup of musicians, artists and entertainers is the most ambitious to date.”

The grounds of Southampton Arts Center will be transformed into an Art Zone, featuring photography, jewelry, and art and craft vendors from Southampton Artists Association (SAA) members. There will also be sets from The Unsung Heroes, Points East Band, Julia King, Local Motion and Eastbound Freight, as well as food and beverage vendors.

“The Southampton Artists Association will have 20 art vendors selling their photography, paintings, jewelry, sculptures and more under tents at the Southampton Art Center located on 25 Jobs Lane as part of SouthamptonFest,” Danielle Leef, SAA Board member, shared. “This new location offers a designated area to browse and purchase art from many talented local artists. Please visit this new location for a wonderful art experience.”

SouthamptonFest, a “modern harvest of fun with music, dance, food, history, art and much more,” is spearheaded by local civic, cultural and business groups. The fall festival is a collaboration between Rogers Memorial Library, Southampton Arts Center, Southampton Chamber of Commerce, Southampton Cultural Center, Southampton Historical Museum, Southampton Rotary Club and the Village of Southampton.

The festival will be open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.

For more information, visit southamptonfest.live.