Chowder, Grape Stomping and the Film Fest Finale: Your Hamptons Weekend, October 10 and 11
Columbus Day weekend is the East End at its best: thinner crowds, golden light and a party in nearly every town. Saturday looks sunny with a high near 66, and Sunday brings a chance of showers after 2 p.m., so front-load your outdoor plans. Here is where we would spend it.
ARF Dog Walk, East Hampton. Saturday, 9 a.m. to noon. Start the day at Mulford Farm with hundreds of dogs and their people, then stroll down to Main Beach for what ARF promises is the most epic round of zoomies of the year. Funds raised benefit the shelter animals.
Sag Harbor Farmers Market, Sag Harbor. Saturday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The market runs through October 31 at Bay and Burke, in front of Breakwater Yacht Club. Grab local seafood, Mecox Bay Dairy cheese and a loaf from Newlight Breadworks, then browse the village sidewalk sale while you are in town.
Montauk Fall Fest, Montauk. Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The 45th edition fills the Town Green with farmers market vendors, local bands and pumpkin decorating. The real draw is Saturday's Clam Chowder Contest, with 22 restaurants in the running. Mugs go on sale at 10 a.m. in front of the Chamber, and tasting starts at 11. Admission is free.
Wölffer Estate Harvest Party, Sagaponack. Saturday, noon to 4 p.m. The 35th annual party at The Wine Stand is pure fall fantasy: grape stomping, barrel rolling, hayrides, a live band and more than ten food and drink stations. It is a splurge at $205 for adults and $105 for ages 2 to 20, and tickets are advance only, with no sales on site.
Westhampton Beach Fall Festival, Westhampton Beach. Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Main Street fills with food trucks, artisan vendors, a petting zoo and aerial performers, with classic rock from Route 48 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sidewalk sales continue through Monday.
Hank's Pumpkintown, Water Mill. Saturday and Sunday, 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Pumpkin picking and the Maze Park are open daily, and apple picking runs on weekends only, so this is your window.
Sagtoberfest at Kidd Squid, Sag Harbor. Saturday and Sunday. The Hamptons' only craft brewery pours its limited Sagtoberfest festbier alongside fall food, games and live sets at 1:30 and 4:30 p.m. both days. Sunday's 1:30 set from Klyph Black and Greg McMullen is a lovely way to ease into the afternoon.
Hamptons International Film Festival, East Hampton. Saturday, 7 p.m. HIFF heads into its final days, and Saturday's Centerpiece is The Only Living Pickpocket in New York at Guild Hall, starring John Turturro, Steve Buscemi and Giancarlo Esposito. Check the film guide for availability, since sold out shows offer a rush line 30 minutes before start.
Judy Carmichael Trio, Sag Harbor. Saturday, 8 p.m. Bay Street Theater's billing says it best: Peggy Lee meets Fats Waller meets Paula Poundstone. Expect stride piano, swing and plenty of wit.
Phantom Planet, Amagansett. Saturday, 8 p.m. Prefer to sing along? The alt rock band plays the Stephen Talkhouse, with tickets from $28.
North Fork bonus: Oyster Festival, Peconic. Sunday, noon to 6 p.m. Greenport Harbor Brewing's 13th annual fest has moved indoors to its Peconic brewery because of the forecast. Eleven growers, a 3 p.m. shucking contest and an oyster beer make it worth the drive.
See you out there. Tag us so we can see where you landed.