Greenport Maritime Festival schedule for today and tomorrow

September 19, 2:47 PMNorth Fork Community ExaminerLisa DeLuca

Previous Next

Comment Print Email RSS Subscribe

Subscribe

Get alerts when there is a new article from the North Fork Community Examiner. Read Examiner.com's terms of use.

Email Address   Include other special offers from Examiner.com Terms of Use

Fireworks at tonight at Greenport Maritime Festival. Photo: Agata Urbaniak

Seven pipe bands from Newfoundland to Florida have graced the The Greenport Maritime Festival this year. They marched along Main Street and Front Street to kick off the festival at 11:00 this morning. The parade was followed by the Greek Orthodox Church's traditional blessing of the waters.

Activities are scheduled throughout the weekend, and in between, people can visit the vendors along Main and Front or visit the variety of vessels parked at the dock.  There is no admission fee to the festival but people should be prepared to spend.

Even those who can resist purchasing crafts, art and toys may be unable to resist the vendor food offerings, especially the  crab cakes and kettle corn - both are a must try.

People can also learn about the not-for-profit organizations in the area by visiting their booths.

The fireworks will take place at 9:00 pm tonight in Mitchell Park. Still to come today are the kayak derby at 3:00. There is a plein air art show in Mitchell Park from 3:00 until 6:00, followed by a silent auction until 8:00  There is a pirate show in Mitchell Park at 4:00.

At 6:00 is the art gallery walk, where visitors take a walking tour of the local galleries, that are displaying both local and foreign artists, and serving wine and cheese. Click on this link for the gallery walk schedule and locations.

Maritime Festival events for Sunday will take place in Mitchell Park unless otherwise noted and include the whaleboat race at noon, as well as pirate shows at 12 and 1:00. From 1:00 until 3:00 the Dunegrass band will play. There is a snapper fishing contest between 1:00 and 2:00 for ages 8 and under. Ages 9-16 will compete between 2:00 and 3:00 pm.

The famous chowder contest takes place Sunday from 1:00 until 4:00 in the Chase Bank parking lot on Main Street. Participants get to sample chowder from local restaurants and vote. The pirates return at 3:00 pm. At 3:30 there is a raffle drawing and at 4:00 Eastern Long Island Hospital will draw and announce the winner of their Dream Green fifty-fifty raffle, in which tens of thousands of dollars will be given away. The festival ends at 5:00 on Sunday.

People who live in biking distance from the Greenport Library can bike in and lock their bikes up at the library bike rack. The walk from there is short. Just bring a back pack to carry any purchases. There is usually plenty of parking for cars along all the side streets.

The proceeds from the Greenport Maritime Festival benefit the East End Seaport Museum and Marine Foundation's program to maintain the museum and the Long Beach Bar Lighthouse, popularly known as "Bug Light."