Events

Sweetbriar Nature Center heads to Stony Brook Village for a Pop-Up Saturday event on Aug. 16. File photo by Serena Carpino

The Ward Melville Heritage Organization (WMHO) has announced the return of Pop-Up Saturdays in Stony Brook Village this summer. This six-part series of family-friendly events will take place every Saturday from July 12 to August 16. Filled with animals, music, art, and magic, these events promise fun for all ages and will be held rain or shine. Pop-Up Saturdays are free to the public and will be located in Stony Brook Village’s Inner Court, near Crazy Beans and the Waterfall Garden. Events are weather permitting.

2025 Pop-Up Saturdays Lineup:

JULY 12 — Magic of Amore from 1:30 p.m. to 2:15pm. Come be dazzled by a magic show from one of New York’s top- rated magicians!; Marty Macaluso Caricature Artist from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Get your caricature drawn by this talented artist.

JULY 19 — Uncle Tony’s Reptile Shack from 1:30 p.m. to 2:15 p.m. and 2:30 p.m to 3:15 p.m. Come meet snakes, lizards, tortoises, and more at this interactive show; ARF Animal Rescue from 11a.m. to 2 p.m. The ARF Animal rescue will be here with their mobile adoption van along with some furry friends!

JULY 26 — Pixie Dust Storytellers from 1:30 p.m. to 2:15 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. to 3:15 p.m. Pixie Dust Storytellers brings magical, family-friendly character experiences to events across Long Island.

AUGUST 2 — School of Rock Port Jefferson from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. At School of Rock students learn to rock out on guitar, bass, keyboard, drums, and vocals. They will be here to perform an exciting set; Hope for Cleo Animal Rescue from noon to 3:30 p.m. Hope for Cleo is a nonprofit animal rescue organization hosting a puppy adoption event. Stop by to pet some cute puppies!

AUGUST 9 — Johnny Cuomo  from 1:30 p.m. to 2:15 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.  to 3:15 p.m. Johnny Cuomo is a musician, storyteller, naturalist, teacher and author who has been sharing folk tales with people of all ages for many years.

AUGUST 16 — Sweetbriar Nature Center from 1:30 p.m. to 2:15 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. to 3:15 p.m. Sweetbriar Nature Center provides natural science education services for Long Island residents of all ages and engaging in native wildlife rehabilitation services.

The 2025 Pop-Up Saturdays are generously sponsored by Suffolk County Legislator Steve Englebright and the office of Economic Development and Planning and Apple Bank. For more information, visit wmho.org.

Sprinkle candles for sale from Pink Zebra. Photo by Heidi Sutton

By Heidi Sutton

Want to be part of the action at this year’s fairs and festivals? Do you have unique merchandise, crafts, yard sale items or food and beverages to sell? Here are a list of vendors wanted for upcoming community events on the North Shore. The list will be updated weekly.

St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, 270 Main Street, Northport seeks vendors for its Summer Craft Fair on July 12 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Call 631-261-0804 to obtain a registration form. 

The Shoppes at East Wind, 5768 Route 25A, Wading River is acceptiong local hand crafted vendors for its Craft Fair Weekends on July 12 & 13, August 2 & 3, September 6 & 7, October 4 & 5 and November 1 & 2 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. 10′ by 10′ spaces for one day is $75 and $100 for both days. Call 631-846-2372 or visit eastwindlongisland.com.

Sachem Public Library, 150 Holbrook Road, Holbrook is looking for vendors to participate in an outdoor Summer Craft Fair on July 19 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Online application can be found at www.sachemlibrary.org. 631-588-5024.

The Spirit of Huntington, 2 Melville Road, Huntington Station seeks vendors for its annual Spirit of Summer Art Festival on July 20 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Rain date is July 27. Visit www.spiritofhuntington.com for an application or call 631-470-9620.

Northport Arts Coalition is accepting applications for craft artists for its annual Art in the Park event at Northport Village Park on Aug. 10 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 10′ by 10′ space for $100, $80 NAC members. Rain date is Aug. 17. Deadline to apply is July 15. www.northportarts.org.

Village of Lake Grove seeks arts & crafts, food and community vendors for its annual Summer Fest on Aug. 17 at the Gazebo and Memorial Park, 980 Hawkins Ave., Lake Grove from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. For an application, visit www.lakegroveny.gov or call 631-585-2000.

The Port Jefferson Lions Club will hold their 4th annual Car Show at Brookhaven Town Hall, 1 Independence Hill, Farmingville on Sept. 14 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Interested vendors can call 631-258-6156.

Messiah Lutheran Church, 465 Pond Path, East Setauket is seeking craft vendors and food trucks for their Spooktacular Trunk or Treat & Vendor Fair fair which will be held Oct. 25 from noon to 4 p.m., rain or shine. Spots are $35. Vendor and food truck forms can be found at www.messiahny.org

Send your vendors wanted listings to [email protected].

A scene from last year’s vendor tent at the Sea Glass Festival. Photo from Whaling Museum

The Whaling Museum and Education Center in Cold Spring Harbor has announced the return of its Sea Glass Festival, which features an array of new activities and enriched experiences for the 2025 season. Set to take place on Sunday, July 20, 2 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., this popular family-friendly event will celebrate the history, artistry, and allure of sea glass, now with an expanded presence on historic Main Street in Cold Spring Harbor. 

The event is the only one of its kind in the region and is the museum’s largest community event which welcomes 1,000 attendees. It is supported in part with funds awarded through a grant from Suffolk County Economic Development and Planning.

The day will feature all new presentations from Mary McCarthy, former Education Chair and Vice President of the North American Sea Glass Association and George WM Fisher, author of multiple books on Long Island’s bottles and medicines companies. 

Winners of last year’s Sea Glass Fiction Contest. Photo from Whaling Museum

The Museum’s second annual Sea Glass Fiction Contest winners will be announced and winners will be presented with their awards by Nomi Dayan, Executive Director at The Whaling Museum and reporter Daniel Dunaief of TBR News Media. All three presentations will take place at Preservation Long Island, a 5-minute walk from the  museum.

The Sea Glass Festival will also offer an exciting array of over 20 sea glass vendors, sea glass crafts provided by OneRiver Woodbury and a fascinating look at glass blowing by Ro’s Glass Works. 

The Cold Spring Harbor Firehouse Museum will offer free entry to Sea Glass participants and Sweetie Pies on Main created a special Sea Glass drink for purchase. There will also be a town wide Sea Glass Scavenger Hunt along Cold Spring Harbor’s business district. Tumbled by the Sea will have their very own “Buoy the Bus” in front of the museum. The bus remains stationary while participants enjoy a one-of-a-kind experience through self-guided tours and interactive activities.

Other great activities include live music by Rory Kelly, author talk by Roxie Zwicker, food trucks and more. Also, visitors are encouraged to bring their antique bottles to be appraised by Long Island Antique Bottle Association (LIABA).

General admission is $20 for adults and children ages 3 and up. For more information, call 631-369-3418 or visit cshwhalingmuseum.org/seaglass.

This article originally appeared in TBR News Media’s Summer Times supplement on June 19, 2025.

Sol Y Sombra heads to the Chapin Rainbow Stage on July 17.

Fill your summer evenings with rock, country, jazz, classical, and gospel music, dance performances, cover band greats, and theatrical productions, all at the 60th annual Huntington Summer Arts Festival at Heckscher Park in Huntington. 

Opening on July 2, the 8-week festival runs through August 24. With over 40 FREE live performances, some never before seen on the Chapin Rainbow Stage, there is something for the whole family with Broadway stars, national and local talent, inspiring young performers and more.

Produced by the Town of Huntington, and presented by Huntington Arts Council, the events are held Wednesdays through Sundays. So grab your lawn chair or blanket and head down for an unrivaled good time!

July

July 2 @ 8 p.m. — The Huntington Community Band 

July 3 @ 8 p.m. — The Gilbert & Sullivan Light Opera Company of Long Island present HMS Pinafore

July 4 @ 8 p.m. — North Shore Pops Concert Band 

July 5 @ 8 p.m. Eastline Theatre presents Shakespeare’s King Lear

July 6 @ 8 p.m. Symphonic Pops of Long Island

July 9 @ 8 p.m. — The Huntington Community Band 

July 10 @ 6:30 p.m. D’Addario’s Summer Jam in support of Long Island Cares

July 11 @ 8 p.m. — Drop the Four and

Miss J Experience

July 12 at 6:30 p.m. — Beauty and the Beats (Kids Show)

July 13 @ 8 p.m. — Eastline Theatre presents Emma in honor of Jane Austen’s 250th birthday

July 16 @ 7:30 p.m. — Huntington Community Band with Big Band  pre-concert

July 17 @ 8 p.m. — Sol Y Sombra Spanish Dance Company

July 18 at 8 p.m. — Captain Kirk Douglas’ Hundred Watt Heart w/Dudley Victor

July 19 @ 8 p.m. — Gnarly Karma and Ape Theory

July 20 @ 8 p.m. — The Nassau Pops Symphony Orchestra

July 23 @ 8 p.m. — The Huntington Community Band

July 24 @ 8 p.m. — Sinatra Night: The New Blue Eyes, Dom Carbone

July 25 @ 8 p.m. — EMO Pop Punk Night: Blink 180Who?! + Cover City Soundtrack

July 26 @ 7:30 p.m. — SKA Night: Pilfers w/Scofflaws & Be Decent

July 27 @ 8 p.m. — Just Wild About Harry Festival: Harry Chapin Tribute in support of Long Island Cares

July 30 @ 8 p.m. — The Huntington Community Band 

July 31 @ 8 p.m. — Calliope Wren + LoganWhaley Band

August

August 1 @ 8 p.m. — Country Night: Brooke Moriber

August 2 @ 8 p.m. Wheatus

August 3 @ 8 p.m. — Plaza Theatrical Productions presents Standing Ovation: Celebrating Musical Theatre

August 6 @ 8 p.m. — Long Island Dance Consortium

August 7 at 8 p.m. — StevieMac (Fleetwood Mac Tribute)

August 8 @ 8 p.m. — Latin Night: Conjunto Imagen

August 9 @ 8 p.m. — The BOSS Project (Bruce Springsteen Tribute)

August 10 at 8 p.m. — Men of Soul (70s, 80s, 90s Soul Music)

August 13 @ 8 p.m. — That Motown Band

August 14 @ 6:30 p.m. — Beauty and the Beats (Kids Show)

August 15 @ 8 p.m. — Little Wilson Band

August 16 @ 8 p.m. — Disco Unlimited and France Joli

August 17 @ 8 p.m. — Make Me Smile (Chicago Tribute)

August 20 @ 8 p.m. — The Chiclets and Time Machine (Tribute to female artists through the decades)

August 21 @ 8 p.m. — Jam Band Night: Tauk + MJT Band

August 22 @ 8 p.m. — Foreign Journey (Foreigner and Journey Tribute)

August 23 @ 8 p.m. — Rob Eberle and Chris Ruben Band

August 24 @ 8 p.m. — Americana Blues Night: Mark Newman Band and Kelli Baker Band

Heckscher Park is located at 2 Prime Ave.,  Huntington. For more information, call 631-271-8423 or visit www.huntingtonarts.org. 

Family ride offerings at FunFest include "The Wheel," the largest Ferris wheel on Long Island at a towering 110 feet tall and with 24 spacious gondola cars, each with a 6-person capacity to accommodate the whole family.
Long Island’s largest fair, Long Island FunFest, returns to Suffolk County Community College, 485 Wicks Road in Brentwood from June 12 to June 22 with Fireworks by Grucci both Saturday nights, family entertainment, exciting midway rides for all ages (including the largest Ferris wheel on Long Island at 110 feet tall), and favorite fair food for every appetite.

Free with admission:

  • Circus Murcia (The Globe of Death motorcycle act, high-wire and aerial performers, jugglers, clowns & more)
  • Big Bee Transforming Robot Car
  • BMX Freestyle Stunt Show
  • The Dinosaur Experience
  • Sandlofer Family Petting Zoo

Fair admission: $5 (free for kids under 36″ tall with a paying adult). Parking is free. Unlimited ride wristbands (for riders 36″ & taller) are $42 on site ($40 cash price) or online before 5 pm Thurs., June 12 for $29 each, 2/$55 or 4/$99.

Ride tickets are also available at FunFest. Online pre-sale special: $45/50 tickets + 1 free ride. (Rides take multiple tickets each.) The online deal is not valid on Thursday Carload Nights, when unlimited rides and admission are $62 per vehicle ($60 cash) for all legally seat-belted occupants.

Fair hours:5-11 pm weekdays and 3-11 pm Saturday – Sunday. Take Exit 53S off the Long Island Expressway and use the Wicks Road campus entrance. Guests under 18 must be accompanied by an adult age 21+.

More information: 866-666-3247 or Long Island FunFest

By Luciana Hayes

On Sunday, June 1, members of Vajiradhammapadip Temple in Centereach held their 48th annual Thai fair. Their goal was not only to raise money for the temple but also to continue a tradition of community and faithfulness through culture.

The event lasted from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and included several engaging forms of entertainment such as food, music and dance that encapsulated Thai culture.

Vajiradhammapadip Temple is a Theravāda Buddhist temple. The temple was founded in 1965 when the Buddhist Study Center was founded by a group of Thai and American Buddhists in New York. In 1975, the temple was officially registered as a not-for-profit organization under the Religious Corporation Law of the State of New York. Since then, the temple has grown to be a major part of both the Thai and Long Island communities. One member of the temple claims, “It is a wonderful, fantastic temple with very good monks and a Thai community.”

At the fair, there was an abundance of vendors selling different Thai dishes ranging from sweet desserts to spicy noodles. The large variety of flavors and foods allowed for some to embrace their cultures and others to understand and appreciate it. The fair was not only beneficial toward the Thai community but the whole of Long Island as well through this display. 

In addition to the beneficial elements adults enjoyed at the fair, children also were entertained. There was a playground where many children socialized and several engaging activities for children such as singing, dancing and music highlighting the family-friendly principles that Vajiradhammapadip Temple values.

Vajiradhammapadip Temple offers a wide range of programs that focus on Thai culture and Buddhist teachings including Buddhist Sunday School classes, lessons in the Thai language and morals and general social studies. Younger students have several options to further explore the Thai culture at the temple by participating in painting, Thai dance and Thai swordplay. These classes are taught by both resident monks at the temple and volunteers. For English speaking students, there are numerous classes in the Pali and Thai languages, Southeast Asian and Thai studies and Thai literature. Meditation training is also held at the temple, however, it depends on the availability of qualified trainers in the area at the time.

Another member of the temple notes that the main takeaway from the fair is that it “has both a commercial and a spiritual side, that is the most valuable part of this event.” The cultural connection that the Thai Fair allows for both the Thai and local community to thrive. Without this connection neither of the two are able to truly be successful. Through cultural connection beauty can be seen through different lenses; the Thai Fair is significant in amplifying  this concept. The truth is, sometimes all the world needs is a connection, appreciation and really great food.

By Ernestine Franco

Sunday, June 1, New York Avenue in Sound Beach was alive with children laughing during the first Sound Beach Civic Out of This World Kids Day. Held in partnership with the North Shore Youth Council and the Sound Beach Fire Department, the space-themed event centered on the uniqueness of every child and teen in the community.

Over 40 vendors participated and each vendor was asked to provide an activity for children, and they did just that in spades. Have Some Fun of East Meadow had a ring toss game; at Legislator Chad Lennon’s (R, Mount Sinai) table kids could decorate paper circles to create planets; the designs children colored with Orangetheory Rocky Point will be displayed in their studio; and at the Handy Pantry Sound Beach spot children could mine for gems. Deirdre Morgan Dubato, co- secretary of the Rotary of Rocky Point said, “We handed out 94 coloring books and 71 boxes of crayons.”

Jackie Schoeneman of Wisdom Tree Preschool, said, “It was a great event” and hopes to be a part of it next year. A big hit was the mini-Olympics where civic members Amelia and Kevin Creedon ran the games with almost 35 kids “competing” and over 30 kids participated in a scavenger hunt. At the Children’s Park, parents could take a space-themed photo with their kids, and a robotics demonstration at the Veterans Park enthralled everyone. At a fire department truck kids could try to use a fire hose as well as tour the truck.  

A very special activity by the rotary was of the International Cities of Peace movement. Children painted cloth squares depicting what they thought peace is. Civic trustee Patrice Perreca will sew all of the pieces together into a quilt. The quilt and a video by civic member Leon Adler will then be sent to The World Cities Development Organization and all the painted pieces will be gathered to create a World Flag for Peace and Global Friendship to be presented to the United Nations in September 2025.

The day’s activities were crowned with the Best Costume Prize at the Vets Memorial Park awarded by Lennon, who thanked “everyone who helped make this event happen and to everyone who attended!”

 Sound Beach Civic president and the organizer of the event Bea Ruberto said the day was a huge success. “It was a team effort that involved an army of volunteers and the support of the community at large.” What made the day special for her was hearing a young boy shout out with glee, “I’m having so much fun.”

Bobby Woods, the director of the North Shore Youth Council said the day “was an incredible afternoon of community, local pride and connection in Sound Beach. Our team at North Shore Youth Council and I were honored to serve alongside the Sound Beach Civic Association. We’re especially grateful to Bea, whose leadership, dedication and heart made the day a true celebration of everything that makes this community special.”

 To follow other activities of the Sound Beach Civic Association check out its Facebook page.

Above, one of the locations featured in the Historic Barn and Garden Tour. Photo by Kimberly Phyfe

The Three Village Historical Society and Museum (TVHS) in Setauket has announced the launch of their first Historic Barn and Garden Tour — a brand-new fundraising event in support of the ongoing construction of The Dominick-Crawford Barn Education and History Center. 

This unique event, to be held on Saturday, June 7 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., is the first of its kind in the Three Village area in many decades.

Above, one of the locations featured in the Historic Barn and Garden Tour. Photo by Kimberly Phyfe

“The Three Village Historical Society + Museum has long been known for ushering in the winter holiday season with our beloved Candlelight House Tour for 45 years. Now, we’re delighted to introduce what we see as its springtime cousin, an outdoor celebration that welcomes the summer season with beauty, history, and community spirit,” said Mari Irizarry, Director of the TVHS.

This exciting initiative has officially become a challenge grant fundraiser, thanks to the generous support of the Robert David Lion Gardiner Foundation, which has pledged to match every dollar raised, up to $10,000. “That means together, we can raise up to $20,000 to help bring The Barn to completion!” said Irizarry.

With the help of sponsors TBR News Media, Howard Hanna | Coach Realty and Daniel Gale Sotheby’s International Realty, this tour will take you to four beautifully preserved historic barns and six stunning gardens, where you’ll hear captivating stories of the area’s agricultural past. 

“Barns are iconic symbols of our farming heritage, and we’re honored to partner with property owners who have lovingly stewarded these historic structures for generations. The gardens you’ll explore are just as special, many of them carefully curated and nurtured by their homeowners over decades, reflecting a deep love of the land and dedication to beauty and sustainability,” said Irizarry.

Your day doesn’t end there. Visit TVHS headquarters at 93 North Country Road, Setauket, to be among the first to explore their brand new art gallery, sponsored by Cathy Minuse, opening with a “Barn and Garden” themed exhibit, and enjoy guided tours of TVHS’s ReWild Community Garden, packed with inspiration for sustainable gardening and backyard biodiversity.

In addition, Four Harbors Audubon Society will hold a Native Plant Sale on the front lawn of the historical society from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. featuring plants for a bird-friendly garden; an assortment of native shrubs and herbaceous perennials, some of which are deer and/or shade resistant; educational exhibits; and live music for kids. 

“Join us as we celebrate the beauty of the land, the legacy of our barns, and the spirit of community, all while supporting a transformative new space for education and history at TVHS,” said Irizarry.

Tickets are $50 per person, $40 members. To order, visit www.tvhs.org/barnandgarden. For more information, please call 631-751-3730.

Coneflower. Pixabay photo

The Suffolk County Vanderbilt Museum, 180 Little Neck Road, Centerport and Anthony Marinello of Dropseed Native Landscapes will host an interactive Pocket Prairie workshop on Sunday, June 8, from 9:00 to 11:00 am. Learn about Long Island’s grasslands and how to convert a section of lawn into a pocket prairie.

Participants will learn about Long Island’s unique grassland communities, discover what makes them unique, and why they deserve our appreciation and preservation.

Marinello will demonstrate how to convert a section of lawn into a “pocket prairie” by restoring a small section of the native grasslands frequently lost to suburbanization and ornamental landscaping.

Take-home kits will be available for an additional fee. Each kit includes a 3×4′ sheet of cardboard, a bag of cedar mulch, and 12 landscape plugs. All plants will remain under 3 feet tall and are native to Long Island, which will attract and support butterflies and songbirds throughout their life cycle.

Workshop only: $50/$45 Members

Purchase Tickets 

Take-home kit (includes cardboard, mulch, and 12 plugs): $100/$90 Members

Photo courtesy of Hallockville

Hallockville Museum Farm, 6038 Sound Ave., Riverhead will hold their annual Spring Tea on Friday, June 13 at 1 p.m. Join them for a lovely afternoon of delectable savories, sweets, and assorted teas in the historic Naugles Barn. This year’s speaker is professor and former board member Susan Babkes who will explore the role of women in the American Revolution. Definitely a tea-worthy subject! Reserved seating – $45 per person. To register, visit www.hallockville.org. 631-298-5292.