Southamptonfest is back in its 11th year, drawing attendees from all over New York and featuring a weekend of arts and crafts, live entertainment, amusements, shopping, pumpkins, and the popular chowder contest — plus a whole lot more from September 29 to October 1.
The weekend begins with a high-energy cocktail party at Southampton Arts Center with live music and complimentary beer and wine from 6:30 to 8:30 PM, followed by a cash bar until 9:30 PM, sponsored by the Southampton Rotary Club. Tickets are available here.
Saturday is an all-day event with happenings throughout The Village. Bands will perform in Agawam Park and the Southampton Arts Center, along with the popular Chowder Contest featuring entries from local restaurants and caterers, as well as food trucks offering dishes. Jester Jim, will perform and create balloon animals, which is sponsored by The Rogers Memorial Library/Friends of the Library.
Hampton Flea & Vintage will curate one-of-a-kind treasures and will provide a market fair to shop and take home special finds, and the Southampton Village Fire Department will provide their hook and ladder truck with sky high opportunities to go up in the ladder as well as giveaways for kids and information for all.
The Southampton Village Police Department will hold “Coffee with a Cop” — an opportunity to ask your police officers about what they do to keep the community safe. Learn about the North Sea Maritime Center while kids and adults interact with a Touch Tank of live marine life provided by East End Explorer. Southampton Ice Rink will present a synthetic rink where kids can practice their slap shots with giveaways and prizes. Tarot Tauk will provide tarot reading and Reiki sound baths on the steps of the Southampton Arts Center. A 360-degree camera will be on hand at Southampton Arts Center to capture Instagram-able moments.
An Art + Design Walk will take place with participating galleries and stores and will encourage participants to visit Southampton’s many art galleries and design stores. Pick up cards at the Chamber of Commerce and any participating store/gallery, get the cards marked at each stop and enter to win a grand prize package. The Southampton History Museum’s Pelletreau Silver Shop will open its doors to guests for a jewelry making workshop and stories of silversmithing in Southampton.
Tours of the historic cemetery on North Main Street as well as sidewalk sales and tastings from village shops and restaurants will take place throughout the village. Heart of the Hamptons Polar Bear Scavenger Hunt is a self-guided tour throughout the Village with prizes available from noon to 4 PM at the First Presbyterian Church and the First Presbyterian Church will also host arts and crafts and games for kids.
The Southampton Artists Association, a not-for-profit organization that gives both professional and amateur artists, who live throughout the East End, an opportunity to showcase their work which will be on display and for sale on Saturday. Southampton Village Trustee Robin Brown has created a magical, musical event throughout the Village called “The Sound of Art” with local high school musicians at various art galleries interpreting what art sounds like to them.
The Southampton African American Museum presents tours of the museum including an exhibit entitled “On View: Tariku Shifewar, Making Space: One of These Black Boys.” The Southampton Cultural Center will present “Icelandic Poetry” photography by Ron Buchter and Keith A. Mannin. The Southampton Arts Center opens its doors for the last chance to see the exhibit “Change Agents: Women Collectors Shaping the Art World.”
On Sunday, the popular Chamber of Commerce Farmers Market will take place in Agawam Park, providing local produce and tasty treats.
Visit southamptonvillage.org for updates. Sponsors include The Southampton Association and Peter Marino Art Foundation.