Celebrate Fall at the First Westhampton Beach Harvest Festival
These are the days when the quaint East End villages are embracing the leaves’ hues of burnt orange, red and yellow with an array of autumn activities. Pumpkin picking and apple harvesting are rediscovered. The Greater Westhampton Beach Chamber of Commerce embraces the fall season on October 10 with its inaugural Westhampton Beach Harvest Festival.
“We wanted to bring the community together, celebrate the change of seasons and create synergy among local businesses,” says Gabby Morrow, Office Administrator at the Chamber. It will be an active weekend for Westhampton Village. The Harvest Festival will be one of four events occurring simultaneously within the enclaves of this picturesque town. In conjunction with the Harvest Festival, the Chamber also sponsors the well-regarded Gordon Werner Arts and Crafts Festival on the Village Green, which features over 70 talented local artisans. The Kiwanis Oyster Festival can be found at the Westhampton Marina, and there will be a sidewalk sale on Main Street with local stores displaying and selling their merchandise in the open air. The Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center also joins in the fun, bringing best-selling author and humorist David Sedaris to the stage on October 11 at 8 p.m.
The energy of these events should be contagious, with all four festivals benefiting from the influx of visitors. There will be numerous highlights on Main Street in Westhampton, which will be closed from Moniebogue Lane to Library Avenue, for the Harvest Festival and Sidewalk Sale. As with most festivals of this type, music will be a “major player,” with East End Entertainment doing the honors. DJ Mike will be spinning tunes from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. At 1 p.m., guests will be treated to the motown music of Hot Peaz and Butter, followed by the funky diverse sound of the band Souled Out.
Guests can sip and savor wine and craft beer. Castello di Borghese, winner of numerous awards and the very first vineyard to call the North Fork home, will undoubtedly provide a tasting experience that will not disappoint. The vineyard will be joined by the Crooked Ladder Brewing Company and Westhampton Beach’s Mill Roadhouse serving up lagers, ales and ciders—there will be plenty of adult beverages to go around.
Among the activities on deck for the kids are street chalk drawing and scarecrow building. Keep the little ones entertained while soaking in the relaxing fall atmosphere.
Of course Main Street restaurant staples such as Pizzateria Brunetti, The Patio, Beach Bakery, Post Stop Café and Horman’s Pickles will be serving up their specialties, but there will also be sumptuous fare available from mobile purveyors such as The Sea Bean, known for their locally sourced, all natural, organic menu; and The Inn Spot on the Bay.
For those interested in spending some time indoors, the Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center will be featuring two animated family movies at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Trolley transport is also being offered throughout the village with stops located at the Village Hall, Village Marina, the Great Lawn and the Gazebo.
American songwriter, Vernon Duke wrote, “Autumn in New York, why does it seem so inviting?” With the warmth of community festivals in the air, such as The Greater Westhampton Beach Chamber of Commerce Harvest Festival, the question Duke rhetorically posed, seems easily answered.
The Greater Westhampton Beach Chamber of Commerce inaugural Harvest Festival is on Saturday, October 10 from 10 a.m.–6 p.m. (rain date October 11). For tickets to the David Sedaris show at the Westhampton Beach Perofmring Arts Center, visit whbpac.org. Contact the Chamber at 631-288-3337 or visit westhamptonchamber.com.