Monday is Columbus Day, a day to celebrate the explorer credited with raising European awareness of the American continents.
A few things you may not know: Christopher Columbus is an English translation of Chrisoffa Corombo, Columbus’ real name. Columbus never actually set foot on U.S. soil. He landed on an island in the Bahamas. Columbus had 23 people testify against him, charging him with atrocities and cruelty, while he was governor of the colony Hispaniola. Columbus was an opium addict, the same drug used in producing modern-day heroin. No one knows what Columbus really looked like. Paintings depicting Columbus are not based on his actual looks. There is genetic evidence that Columbus and his men brought the sexually transmitted disease Syphilis to Europe.
On that note, here are some ways to spend your 3-day weekend.
Happy Columbus Day!
Columbus Day Weekend Book Sale @ Shelter Island Public Library, 37 N. Ferry Rd., Shelter Island. Fiction, Non-fiction, Coffee-table books, Biographies, Paperbacks, Picture Books, Chapter Books, Mysteries, Sports, Travel, DVDs, CDs. Saturday, 10.6, 10 a.m.-4 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.
Traditional New England Barn Dance @ Water Mill Community House, Montauk Highway, Watermill. All dances taught by caller Chart Guthrie with live Celtic music. No partner necessary. Saturday, 10.6. Introductory lesson: 7:45 p.m.; Dance: 8-11 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.
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.
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.
Wooden Toy Train Play Days @ Railroad Museum of LI, 416 Griffing Ave., Riverhead. Tons of tracks and trains for the kids to play with. Saturday, 10.6 & Sunday, 10.7. 11 am.-3 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.
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.
Christopher Morley Park Festival @ Christopher Morley Park, Searingtown Road, Roslyn. Carnival rides, food and vendors. Saturday, 10.6 & Sunday, 10.7, noon-10 p.m.; Monday, 10.8, noon-6 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. Saturday, 10.6 & Sunday, 10.7, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.; Monday, 10.8, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
The Amazing Maize Maze @ Queens County Farm Museum, 73-50 Little Neck Parkway, Floral Park. Enjoy getting lost in their 3-acre interactive corn maze. The adventure begins with a stalk talk to prepare you for the challenge of finding clues, solving puzzles and making your way out of the maze. To add to the adventure do the Maze By Moonlight on Saturday, 10.6 when the maze will be open until 9 p.m. Saturday, 10.6, 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sunday, 10.7 & Monday, 10.8, 11 a.m.-4:30 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.
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. Pumpkin and vegetable decorating and carving contest. Covering more than 100,000 square feet, there’s something for everyone. Sunday, 10.7, 10 a.m.-5 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.
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.
Born This Way OutFest @ South Nassau Unitarian Church, 228 S. Ocean Ave., Freeport. Art show and entertainment celebrating National Coming Out Day. Please bring a snack. Sunday, 10.7, Noon-4 p.m.
Lange Eylandt Farmers and Artisan Market @ Milleridge Inn, 585 N. Broadway, Jericho. Inspired by the Dutch name for Long Island, Lange Eylandt Market rediscovers our rich food heritage, meal by meal, craft by craft. Lange Eylandt Market’s mission is to support local food businesses and celebrate the diverse food culture found on Long Island and across the region… the people who produce the goods, and the people who enjoy them. Guests will have an opportunity to meet and support talented food artisans from Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Nassau and Suffolk counties by sampling and purchasing packaged foods direct from producers. Sunday, 10.7 & every Sunday through 10.29, 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Columbus Day Film: Dolphin Tale @ Cold Spring Harbor Whaling Museum, 301 Main St., Cold Spring Harbor. Did you know there are 40 kinds of dolphins? Learn about the world of dolphins and create your own dolphin craft. Enjoy a showing of the film “Dolphin Tale.” Monday, 10.8, 11:30 a.m. & 2:30 p.m.
Ship Signals @ LI Children’s Museum, 11 Davis Ave., Garden City. When Christopher Columbus sighted land in the year 1492, he signaled other ships by firing a cannon into the air. Modern technology now allows us to use radios to send messages faster and clearer, but many ships still use maritime flag signals to communicate across long distances. Discover common signals that are used today and create a flag signal collage that has special meanings for sailors. Monday, 10.8, 2:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.