SouthamptonFest Returns for a Family Friendly Weekend

SouthamptonFest is back in its 10th year, drawing attendees from all over New York and featuring a weekend of arts, crafts, music, pumpkin carvers and the popular chowder contest — plus a whole lot more.

The weekend begins with a high-energy cocktail party in Agawam Park — a gathering of old and new friends —  with live music by Coverland, complimentary beer and wine on Friday, September 30th from 6:30 to 8:30 pm, followed by a cash bar until 9:30 pm, sponsored by the Southampton Rotary Club. 

Saturday is an all-day event with happenings throughout the Village. Bands such as Next Level Band and Gene Casey and The Lone Sharks perform in Agawam Park, along with the popular Chowder Contest featuring entries from local restaurants and caterers, as well as food trucks offering delightful dishes. Dance lessons include salsa for all ages and abilities, kids activities including Jester Jim performances, face painting and balloon animals, sponsored by The Rogers Memorial Library/Friends of the Library.

The Maniac Pumpkin Carvers, musicians performing on Main Street, and Village restaurants welcome residents and visitors with Fall-themed specials. A special Art + Design Crawl will encompass some of the best design shops and art galleries in the Village and participants enter a raffle to win some great prizes. Topiaire Flower Shop will hold a live demonstration of colorful, eye-catching Thanksgiving tablescapes using fresh flowers and organic materials.

The Southampton Artists Association,  a not for profit organization that gives both professional and amateur artists, who live throughout the East End an opportunity to showcase their work which will be on display and for sale on Saturday and Sunday.

The Southampton African American Museum invites guests to experience a digital tapestry and exhibit of “Grooming A Generation: A History of Black Barbershops & Beauty Parlors” with an augmented reality tour celebrating the long and storied history of barbering in the African American community.

The Southampton History Museum will open its doors and grounds to guests looking for spooky delights. Experience the horrors of a haunted Gilded Age Mansion as GHOSTS, GOBLINS AND GHOULS inhabit the historic rooms of the Rogers Mansion, whose history begins in 1650. Ten historic outbuildings will be open and occupied with the unimaginable including Creatures in the Carpenter’s Shop, Devils in the Decoy Shed and Bad Barnaby in the Blacksmith Shop.

More special highlights this year include the Southampton Arts Center’s exhibit “A Celebration of Trees”, from 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm, open to the public and featuring artists such as Freeman Vines, Beth Moon, Frank Relle, Charles Gaines, Sebastião Salgado and Nicholas Herrara and a special outdoor performance at 3:00 pm and 6:00 pm by musician Tom Wall performing to, and with, centuries’ old trees.

The Southampton Cultural Center holds their 6th Annual “Wine and Roses” Gala. A ticketed event from 6:00 pm-10:00 pm featuring dinner, good wine, refreshing cocktails, live entertainment, and a silent auction. (Tickets available at www.scc-arts.org)

The popular Southampton Chamber of Commerce Farmers and Artisans Market will take place Sunday from 9:00 am – 3:00 pm.

The schedule of events is as follows (*subject to change):

Friday, September 30th – 6:30 pm – 9:30 pm 

The Southampton Rotary Kickoff Party in Agawam Park – ticketed event (SouthamptonRotary.org)

Saturday, October 1^st – 11:00 am – 6:00 pm 

11:00 am – 4:00 pm – Children’s Face Painting // Agawam Park 

11:00 am – 4:00 pm – Art + Design Crawl // Participating shops & galleries throughout the Village

11:00 am – 3:00 pm – A History of Black Barbershops & Beauty Parlors // SAAM

11:00 am – 12:00 pm – Thanksgiving Tablescape Live Demo // Topiaire Flower Shop

11:00 am – 4:00 pm – Spooky Spirits // Southampton History Museum 

11:00 am – 6:00 pm – Maniac Pumpkin Carvers // Agawam Park 

11:00 am – 6:00 pm – Southampton Artists Association // Artists in the Park

Noon – 2:00 pm – Next Level Reggae Band // Agawam Park  

Noon – 2:00 pm – Chowder Contest // Agawam Park 

12:30 pm – Jester Jim Performance // steps of the Southampton Arts Center 

2:00 pm – Jester Jim Performance // Agawam Park

2:30 pm – 4:00 pm – AG Dance and Unity Dancer Performances, Cuban Salsa Teacher Jamie Ruiz Dance Demonstration (All Are Welcome!) // Agawam Park

3:30 pm – Jester Jim Performance // Agawam Park 

3:50 pm – Announcement of the Chowder Contest winner // Agawam Park 

4:00 pm – 5:30 pm – Gene Casey and the Loan Sharks // Agawam Park 

6:00 pm – 10:00 pm — Southampton Cultural Center Gala “An Evening of Wine and Roses” (ticketed event: https://www.scc-arts.org/an-evening-of-wine-roses-2)

6:00 pm – 8:00 pm — Southampton Arts Center: “A Celebration of Trees” with live music from Tom Wall at 6:00 pm 

Throughout The Day: 

Artisans Market // Chamber of Commerce

Sunday, October 2^nd – 9:00 am – 3:00 pm 

Southampton Chamber of Commerce Farmers and Artisans Market in Agawam Park 

Southampton Artists Association // Artists in the Park at Agawam Park