By Jennifer Donatelli
It was a beautiful autumn weekend for families and friends attending the Long Island Fall Festival in Huntington last weekend. The four-day, free event took place at Heckscher Park during Columbus Day weekend from Oct. 12 to 14, kicking off the festivities with live music and a world-class carnival on Friday night.
The largest of its kind in the Northeast and now in its 30th year, the Long Island Fall Festival has become the premier event for family fun. Filled with excitement at every turn, the carnival featured thrilling rides, games and classic carnival food.
Hundreds of vendors lined Madison and Prime Streets, adjacent to Heckscher Park, as well as around the pond and inside the park grounds. The Local Craft Beer and Wine Tent showcased beverages sourced locally from Six Harbors Brewing Company in Huntington.
The annual event attracts tens of thousands of people from all over Long Island and the Tri-State area. It even boasts an international food court serving a wide variety of options from classic festival fare to global cuisines.
For those who love to shop, the festival’s marketplace featured more than 300 vendors selling everything from handmade crafts to baked goods, jewelry and unique gifts. For many vendors, it was their first foray at the festival.
Ivan Reiter, owner of The Barking Biscuit, which makes all-natural dog treats, personalized cookies, birthday cakes and wedding favors, said he heard many great things about the festival and decided to participate this year.
Mr. Reiter’s business started as a hobby during COVID when everyone was getting dogs and has since expanded. He explained, “We got our name out, started small, and went from a small tent at events to a trailer, and now we’re in a bus!”
One of the most sought-after vendors was Sugaring NYC, a franchise company that makes scrubs from brown sugar, lemon and water, creating an alternative to using hot wax for hair removal. Owner Carolina Costa shared that she even uses it on her hands to get rid of age spots.
“You can also use the scrubs in the shower or mix them in with your body wash for deep exfoliation in the comfort of your own home,” she explained.
Cathy O’Connor of Northport came with a friend to shop and sample some craft beers. She ended up purchasing scrubs, soap and jewelry from various vendors. Ms. O’Connor thinks the festival is “the best way to support local businesses, find one-of-a-kind treasures and spend the day with family and friends.”
For those who don’t like to cook, The Spice Cabinet sold hand-blended spices and herbs in ready-to-cook packets complete with ingredients and directions. The owner, who goes solely by Jean, explained that everything needed is in the bag.
“You just have to boil water. It’s great for people on the go who need a quick and easy meal or for college students who don’t have time to cook,” she said.
Highlights from the weekend included a Columbus Day parade, a meatball-eating contest and a magic show for children. Live performances on the Harry Chapin Rainbow Stage featured dance numbers by students from Laura’s Yoga and Fitness in Huntington and high schoolers from the Long Island School for the Arts in Syosset. Kids also enjoyed free art activities at the Heckscher Museum’s terrace.
In addition to on-street parking, visitors to the festival were allowed to park for free at the Huntington LIRR station and take a $2 round-trip shuttle bus to the park.
For more information or to get involved in next year’s Long Island Fall Festival as a volunteer or vendor, visit www.lifallfestival.com.
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