It may not seem like it, but autumn is just around the corner. The first day of fall is September 22. But since Long Island waits for no equinox, the festivals are already beginning. From pickle-flavored popcorn to pie-eating contests, carnival rides to hayrides, we’ve got it all and it all starts this weekend…
Brookhaven Country Fair @ Longwood Estate
Longwood & Smith Roads, Ridge
Featuring activities and entertainment for the entire family, including traditional crafts, primitive cooking, Irish step dancing, Revolutionary War and Civil War re-enactments, pony rides, live music and more at the former home of William and Eleanor Smith, dating back to the 1790s.
Saturday, 9.8 & Sunday, 9.9, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Pumpkin Picking, Corn Mazes & Hayrides on Long Island 2012
Fiddle & Folk Fest @ Benner’s Farm
56 Gnarled Hollow Rd., Setauket
Children and adults of all ages are invited to come to hear lots of great music and enjoy the farm and homemade foods.
Saturday, 9.8, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Long Island Family Festival @ Tanner Park
Kerrigan Road, Copiague
Attractions will include live musical entertainment, a carnival, Pet Expo and dog-themed event, vendors, a skate board demonstration, pizza pie eating contest, fashion & talent shows and more.
Friday, 9.14, 6-10 p.m. ; Saturday, 9.15, noon-10 p.m.; Sunday, 9.16, 11 a.m.-8 p.m.
Hallockville Fall Festival @ Hallockville Museum Farm
6038 Sound Ave., Riverhead
A North Fork tradition featuring artisan vendors, food, music, children’s games, animals, and demonstrations of traditional crafts.
Saturday, 9.15 & Sunday, 9.16, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Harvest & Seafood Festival @ Captree State Park
Robert Moses Causeway, West Islip
Family-oriented nautical theme festival provides entertainment, interactive pirate show and scavenger hunt, local farm products, boat rides, crab races, pony rides, and much more.
Saturday, 9.15 & Sunday, 9.16, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Cow Harbor Day @ Northport Village Park
Main Street, Northport
Cow Harbor Day is the traditional annual festival celebrating the history of the Village of Northport. The name comes from “The Great Cow Harbor”, what the Village was called years ago as the cows use to graze on the fields along the Harbor which are now parks. The day begins with the traditional parade down Main Street at noon. The MC usually rides a horse, followed by the Board of Trustees and Village employees. The parade features the music of local bands, floats, sport teams, high school marching bands, antique cars, and the Northport Trolley. Immediately following the parade, Main Street is closed to traffic for amusement rides, live music, vendors, boating contests and barbecue-style food.
Sunday, 9.16, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Apple Picking on Long Island 2012: Best Places to Pick Your Apples
Long Island Music Lovers Faire @ American Legion Hall – Massapequa Post 1066
66 Veterans Blvd., Massapequa
Long Island’s largest Music Collectible Shows with vendors from all over the tri-state area and beyond selling records, 45s, 12″, CD’s, DVDs, posters, books, magazines, memorabilia and more!
Sunday, 9.16, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Smithtown Heritage Fair & Car Show @ Smithtown Historical Society’s Frank Brush Barn
211 Middle Country Rd., Smithtown
Antique cars, crafts, vendors, Civil War re-enactments, old-fashioned baseball, farm animals & live music.
Sunday, 9.16, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Bellmore Family Street Festival @ Bellmore LIRR
Sunrise Highway, Bellmore
Exhibits and attractions in a 25-square-block area including: 2012 Ford Experience Tour, carnival rides, kids expo, petting zoo, pony rides, special attraction in the midway – racing pigs, military expo featuring the orange county chopper, home improvement expo, animal exhibits, auto show, business expo, sports expo, dance, fitness & karate demos, live entertainment, costumed characters, police, fire dept. & EMS expo and over 120 hand crafted vendors. food to please everyone’s taste and fun for all.
Thursday, 9.20 & Friday, 9.21, 6 p.m.; Saturday, 9.22 & Sunday, 9.23, 11-6 p.m.
Maritime Festival @ Greenport Village
A colorful parade, clam chowder contest, whaleboat and kayak races, fireworks, and a 
display of wooden boats. Take a ride on the antique carousel, visit the blacksmith shop, and keep your eyes open for roving bands of pirates.
Saturday, 9.22 & Sunday, 9.23, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Pickle Festival @ John Gardiner Farm
900 Park Ave., Greenlawn
Homemade pickles, jams, jellies, farm-grown vegetables, baked goods and family activities plus pickle-flavored popcorn, pickle ornaments and more.
Saturday, 9.22, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Fall Festival & Large Car Truck Show @ LI MacArthur Airport
Parking Lot 10, 100 Arrivals Ave., Ronkonkoma
Large car trucks, classic cars, food and music!
Sunday, 9.23, 9 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
23rd Annual LI Apple Festival @ Sherwood-Jayne House
55 Old Post Rd., East Setauket
The festival is held at an 18th century farmhouse that retains its original apple orchard, where some of the trees are more than 100 years old. The whole family will enjoy a host of activities including old-fashioned games like apple relay races, tug-o-war, and apple-head doll making. The festival features pony rides and an open-hearth colonial cooking demonstration, an Apple Pie Baking Contest and tours of the historic Sherwood-Jayne House. There will also be traditional music, an old- fashioned hay ride, sheep shearing, face painting and many other events for people of all ages. The festival also features apples of all kinds, apple pie, fresh apple cider, popcorn, hot dogs and candied apples. Sunday, 9.23, 11 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Italian Experience Festival @ Hofstra University
Hempstead Turnpike, Hempstead
Celebrating Italy’s gifts of culture, education and commerce to America, the festival features food, vendors, handmade crafts, exhibits by cultural organizations, music, wine tastings, native food, crafts, dance, poetry and much more for the entire family to enjoy!
Sunday, 9.23, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Long Island Fair @ Old Bethpage Village Restoration
Round Swamp Road, Old Bethpage
Bluegrass bands, mime, magician, puppet show, and musical entertainment. Over in the Village you’ll see and hear Teddy Roosevelt’s Rough Riders by the Williams farmhouse, Old Time Base Ball on the field by the entrance road from the parking lot, Old Time Games of Skill and Children’s Races where the road splits between the Village and Fairgrounds, the Old Bethpage Brass Band, the Grand Army of the Republic (Civil War veterans) exhibit on the road to the Noon Inn, and behind the Noon Inn, the music of Jeff Davis and Contra Dancing during the weekend. Back on the Fairgrounds don’t forget to look in at Jason’s Frogs, Bugs and Animals in the middle of the track. Be a farmer for a day, shuck corn, cut through a log with a two-man saw for cash prizes.
Thursday, 9.27 & Friday, 9.28, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Saturday, 9.29 & Sunday, 9.30, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
American Music Festival @ Port Jefferson Village
Loaded with 25 headlining bands and emerging artists on multiple stages throughout the village of Port Jefferson. Friday, 9.28, 7-11 p.m.; Saturday, 9.29, noon-8 p.m.; Sunday, 9.30, noon-6 p.m.
Archangel Michael Greek Orthodox Church Festival @ North Hempstead Beach Park
West Shore Road, Port Washington
Games, food, rides and vendors in the park!
Friday, 9.28, 6-11 p.m.; Saturday, 9.29, noon-11 p.m.; Sunday, 9.30, noon-6 p.m.
Fish Hatchery Fall Fair @ Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery & Aquarium
1660 Rte. 25A, Cold Spring Harbor
The Fall Fair provides visitors the opportunity to learn from conservation and environmental groups, play games, enjoy food and refreshments, and fish for trout (children under 12 only). All fishing gear provided by the Hatchery. Local environmental and conservation groups will be present.
Saturday, 9.29, 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Fall Festival @ Michael P. Murphy Beach
Lake Shore Road, Lake Ronkonkoma
Food, vendors, petting zoo, pumpkin painting, entertainment, pony rides, fishing and children’s activities.
Saturday, 9.29, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Long Island Naturally Environmental Fair @ Manor Farm
210 Manor Rd., Huntington
Exhibits, games, community yard sale, demonstrations, music and wildlife safari.
Saturday, 9.29, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Ninth Annual Long Island Garlic Festival @ Garden of Eve Organic Farm
4558 Sound Ave., Riverhead
Features garlic-inspired foods, music, crafts, square dancing and more. Saturday, 9.29 & Sunday, 9.30, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Wildwood Fall Festival @ Wildwood State Park
Hulse Landing Road, Wading River
Family oriented fall event with craft vendors, wagon rides, pony rides, inflatables (weather permitting), funny fotos, environmental displays, children’s pie eating contest, and children’s entertainment.
Saturday, 9.29, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Fair & Summer Concert Series w/ Eddie Money @ Harry Chapin Lakeside Theater of Eisenhower Park
Hempstead Turnpike, East Meadow
Parade begins at 9 a.m. at Briarcliffe College. The car show opens at Eisenhower Park at 11 a.m. Live music, food and entertainment provided for the entire family. Includes a swap meet and craft fair. Eddie Money on the Lakeside stage at 3 p.m.
Sunday, 9.30, 10 a.m.
Christopher Morley Park Festival @ Christopher Morley Park
Searingtown Road, Roslyn
Carnival rides, food and vendors.
Friday, 10.5, 6-10 p.m.; Saturday, 10.6 & Sunday, 10.7, noon-10 p.m.; Monday, 10.8, noon-6 p.m.
Harvest Festival @ St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, 71305 Main Rd., Greenport. Yard sale, lots of food from potato pancakes and chili to bratwurst and baked goods, and activities. Saturday, 10.6, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Oyster Festival @ Village Marina, Library Avenue, Westhampton Beach. Farmer’s market, sidewalk sale, fair, rides, pirates, boats, chowder contest and more. Saturday, 10.6, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Apple Festival & Fair @ Stony Brook Community Church, 216 Christian Ave., Stony Brook. The Apple Festival, while not as historic as the church, is now over half a century old. Like the church, the festival has gone through several name changes but the spirit has remained constant: everything apple with extra fun on the side. There will be a plethora of apple recipes, apple pies, apple fritters, and candy apples made to order plus arts and craft vendors, pony rides and other activities for the kids, a bar-be-cue, and a Country Kitchen with wonderful homemade soups and chili. Saturday, 10.6, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Amityville Applefest @ Village of Amityville, Park Avenue between Greene & Wanser Place, Amityville. Apple everything, farmer’s market, sidewalk sale, pumpkin painting, arts and antiques, music pie-eating contest, vendors and entertainment. Saturday, 10.6, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Long Island Fall Festival @ Heckscher Park
2 Prime Ave., Huntington
The largest of its kind in the Northeast, the Long Island Fall Festival offers four stages of entertainment, a world-class carnival, hundreds of arts and craft vendors, international food courts, beer and wine tent, a farmer’s market, and numerous activities designed especially for young children.
Friday, 10.5, 3-10 p.m.; Saturday, 10.6 & Sunday, 10.7, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.; Monday, 10.8, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Country Fest @ LI Maritime Museum
86 West Ave., West Sayville
The family-friendly two day event will feature live Country music, local vendors, crafts, BBQ, kids events, dancing and more.
Saturday, 10.6 & Sunday, 10.7, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Fall Harvest Festival @ Mill Neck Manor
40 Frost Mill Rd., Mill Neck
Ripe apples, handmade country crafts, seasonable produce, grilled bratwurst, children’s activities and many anniversary activities throughout the weekend. Visitors will find a wide variety of cheeses in the “Cheese House,” and plenty of mouth-watering baked goods, jellies, fudge and strudels. The “Country Store” also features a full-line of famous Karl Ehmer wurst and bacon products. In the children’s activities area, Gooseberry Grove will have a fantastic array of games and activities, and face painting by Agostino Arts.
Saturday, 10.6 & Sunday, 10.7, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
San Gennaro Fest of the Hamptons @ Pocket Park, Good Ground Road, Hampton Bays. Italian Delicacies, Parade, Artisans, Carnival Rides, Live Entertainment, Classic Car Show, Pony Rides, Wine Tasting Booths And Much More! Saturday, 10.6 & Sunday, 10.7, 10 a.m.-10 p.m.
Country Fest @ Catalina Seaside Park, 11 Richmond St., Freeport. Live country music, barbecue, activities, dancing and vendors. Saturday, 10.6 & Sunday,10.7, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Montauk Fall Festival @ Montauk
Main Street, Montauk
The chowder contest runs on SATURDAY ONLY. It starts at 11:30 a.m. and the mugs are available for sale starting Friday afternoon in the Chamber building. The free carousel rides for the kids, the Long Island Wines & Farmers Market, live music and much more are available both days.
Saturday, 10.6 & Sunday, 10.7, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Fall Flower & Harvest Festival @ Bayard Cutting Arboretum, 440 Montauk Hwy., Great River. Pumpkin painting, hayrides, landscapes, horticultural programs and great food! Saturday, 10.6; Sunday, 10.7; Monday, 10.8, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Giant Pumpkin Weigh Off @ Hicks Nurseries, Jericho Turnpike, Westbury. Everyone that has grown a pumpkin – no matter what the size – is encouraged to bring it and show off their growing skills. In addition to awards for the three heaviest pumpkins, there will also be prizes awarded to the ‘Rookie of the Year’ and ‘Best Pumpkin Grown by A Child’ (under the age of 15). Sunday, 10.7, 11 a.m.
Plainview Old Country Road Festival @ Plainview, 99 Old Country Rd., Plainview. Food, entertainment, vendors, inflatable rides, and more. Sunday, 10.7, 10 am.-6 p.m.
Apple Festival @ Queens County Farm Museum, 73-50 Little Neck Parkway, Floral Park. A large variety of apples, apple products, and freshly pressed cider will be available. The nation’s largest apple cobbler will be baked on site. Learn fun apple facts at this delightful event. Vendors will have a variety of collectibles for sale, food, hayrides, and free children’s games will make this event fun for all ages. Sunday, 10.7, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Fall Festival @ Sagtikos Manor
Montauk Highway, West Bay Shore
Hands-on children’s crafts, old-fashioned games & prizes, petting zoo, pony cart rides, pumpkin painting, historic presentations & demonstrations, Colonial crafters, music & dancing demonstrations & instructions, 1775 Revolutionary War Regiment, cemetery tours and self-guided house tours.
Sunday, 10.7, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Riverhead Country Fair @ Downtown Riverhead
Works of original artists, agricultural and homemaking displays and competitions, authors, entertainers, local merchants, food, amusement rides, pony rides, business expositions and displays, and of course, more food. Covering more than 100,000 square feet, there’s something for everyone.
Sunday, 10.7, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Oyster Festival @ Theodore Roosevelt Park
West End Avenue, Oyster Bay
The Oyster Festival originated as a hometown parade honoring Theodore Roosevelt before evolving into the largest outdoor festival on Long Island. Now the East Coast’s largest waterfront festival offers live entertainment, tall ships, top-notch artisans, pirate shows, midway rides, and the iconic oyster eating and shucking contest. And of course…the Food Court, where volunteer chefs and culinary pros work side by side, cooking and serving dozens of unique oyster, clam and other seafood concoctions along with traditional festival fare.
Saturday, 10.13 & Sunday, 10.14, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
Pumpkin Festival @ John Gardiner Farm
900 Park Ave., Greenlawn
Hayrides, pumpkins & fun for the entire family!
Saturday, 10.13, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Apple Festival @ Islip Grange
10 Broadway Ave., Sayville
Pie eating, scarecrow contests, crafts fair, apple-themed cooking contest, music, pony rides and demonstration.
Saturday, 10.13, 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Harvest Festival @ Benner’s Farm
56 Gnarled Hollow Rd., Setauket
A day of fun picking pumpkins and listening to good old fashioned music at the farm!
Sunday, 10.14, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Center Moriches Fall Festival @ Center Moriches
Main Street, Center Moriches
Fair will feature vendors and Main Street merchants selling goods and foods, raffles, artists, petting zoo and activities for children.
Saturday, 10.20, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Fall Harvest Street Festival @ Deer Park
Deer Park Ave., Deer Park
Rides, games, food, vendors and more!
Saturday, 10.20, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Sagamore Hill Day Fall Family Festival & Theodore Roosevelt’s 154th Birthday @ Sagamore Hill
20 Sagamore Hill Rd., Oyster Bay
Activities will include entertainment for children, old fashioned games and crafts, interactive farm demonstrations, exhibits, music, farm animal petting area, food vendors, Theodore Roosevelt as portrayed by James Foote and more. Food service of traditional American fare: hamburgers, hot dogs and popcorn will be available on the site or you may bring your own picnic. This event is rain or shine. Saturday, 10.20, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Syosset Fall Festival @ Syosset LIRR
Jackson Avenue, Syosset
Vendors, food, rides & more!
Saturday, 10.20 & Sunday, 10.21, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
Harvest Festival @ Port Jefferson Village
A village-wide event with musical performances, 100+ Costumed Dog Parade, Marshmallow Roast, Scarecrow Walk, Pumpkin Decorating and other craft projects. Participate in the Village restaurants’ Annual Chowder Tasting Competition.
Sunday, 10.21, noon.
Huntington Historical Society Apple Festival @ Daniel W. Kissam House Museum
434 Park Ave., Huntington
Bring your children to play traditional games, try old-time crafts and dance to the tunes of traditional music. And, if they dare, they can enter the scary “Boo” Barn.
Sunday, 10.21, noon-4 p.m.
