2016 Montauk Fall Festival Kicks Off October 8
The 2016 Montauk Fall Festival, October 8 and 9, will feature a 30-horse carousel, face painting, inflatable rides, pumpkin decorating, Oktoberfest foods and live music that’s sure to keep the energy pumping throughout the weekend. It promises fun for all ages and will be even bigger than last year’s annual event.
For 34 years this festival has delighted attendees. As Laraine Creegan, Executive Director of the Montauk Chamber of Commerce, says, “It’s a great event for parents to enjoy with their children and friends. I enjoy seeing people have a great time with their families. Guests have particularly enjoyed the farmers market, live music, food and having a family outing in a hometown environment. There’s something for everyone at the Fall Festival—and all the 70 people working there are local volunteers.”
The Green in Montauk is central to what makes the Montauk Fall Festival unique and enjoyed by so many. “The festival takes place in the heart of Montauk, which makes it a great setting for locals and visitors who may be staying at hotels nearby,” says Creegan.
Just as in years past, you’ll find vendors and local wine and beer, plus multiple raffles and the annual Montauk Playhouse auction on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. For children there are crab races, sand art and street painting.
The Montauk Farmer’s Market is one of the main highlights of the festival, offering pickles on a stick, locally sourced fresh produce, baked goods and gourmet specialties. The food tent will also have your choice of foods, from hot dogs to burgers, roasted corn, bratwurst, seafood and sausage and peppers with all the fixings.
The Famous Clam Chowder Contest will take place on Saturday beginning at 11 a.m.and running until 2 p.m.—or until the chowder runs out. Mugs will be available for sale starting Friday afternoon in the chamber building. The contest is one of the events attendees come back for year after year. The contest is about enjoying a cup of soup on a chilly autumn day. But it’s also a competition to be named Montauk’s best, and it’s fun to see whether the Manhattan or New England chowder will be the winner as judges do their scoring. “The Chowder contest last year was the best year yet, serving up over 5,500 mugs of Montauk’s many restaurant chowders. We even received donations of second pots of chowder on Sunday for those who were not at the contest,” says Creegan.
The Montauk Fall Festival takes place this Saturday and Sunday, October 8 and 9 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on The Green at 742 Montauk Highway in Montauk. For more information visit montaukchamber.com or the chamber offices at 742 Montauk Highway, Montauk. Call the Hampton Jitney to reserve free transportation from Southampton (and points east) to Montauk
631-283-4600, hamptonjitney.com.