Hamptons Happening: 33rd Annual Fall Festival Returns to Montauk

Hamptons Happening: 33rd Annual Fall Festival Returns to Montauk
Bringing Together Locals and Visitors for a Weekend Full of Family-Oriented Fun

Celebrate the arrival of fall and crisp October weather at Montauk’s 33rd Annual Fall Festival, sponsored by the Montauk Chamber of Commerce. The family-oriented community event takes place on Columbus Day Weekend, Oct 11th and 12th on the Green in the center of downtown Montauk. On Saturday the family-friendly festival kicks off with its Famous Clam Chowder contest at 11AM SHARP, with a variety of unforgettable chowders from local restaurants available “until it runs out” which is usually around 1PM. Food personalities judge and present awards for the best New England and Manhattan chowders. Festival attendees may also participate in this contest by voting in the People’s Choice Award. Winners are announced at 3pm that day on the Chamber’s Facebook page and posted at www.montaukchamber.com.
A spectacular fireworks display by Grucci takes place on Saturday night, Oct 11th at 7PM at Umbrella Beach. A special fireworks tribute is honoring the Montauk Fire Department, celebrating its 75th year.
Both days include many activities for children such as inflatable rides, face painting, pumpkin decorating, street painting, crab races, pony rides (Sunday), a free 30 horse Carousel and lots more. For adults, there is live music by Gene Casey and The Lone Sharks on Saturday from 2-5 PM, along with raffles, delicious Oktoberfest style food, clams and oysters and Long Island wines and beer. The Montauk Farmers Market is on hand in the tent Saturday and on Sunday on the street. On Sunday, the Festival continues with additional activities under the tent including the annual auction by the Montauk Playhouse and live music by the 3 B’s from 12-3pm. To round off the weekend, the Montauk Chamber’s annual Cash Catch drawing is held at 4:30 PM Sunday with cash prizes up to $20,000 awarded.
For the 2nd year, FREE transportation through Hampton Jitney is provided between Southampton, and all towns in-between to Montauk on Saturday and Sunday. Reservations are required; call 283-4600. In addition, there is a free continuous bus shuttle loop from the center of town, to the Lighthouse, the Harbor area, the LIRR and back to town. The transportation and shuttle is supported by a grant awarded to the Long Island Wine Council by New York State’s Empire State Development Corp and the I LOVE NEW YORK Division of Tourism.

The Fall Festival is the major annual fundraiser to benefit the Montauk Chamber of Commerce, a not for profit organization – and in turn it donates to organizations such as the Montauk Food Pantry, the July 4th and Fall Fireworks Fund, the Frank Cappozola Scholarship Fund as well as other local not-for-profit organizations. The Carousel Sponsors are 668 The Gig Shack, Ron Sullivan Welding, William R. Homer, Esq., Montauk Blue Hotel, American Credit Card Processing Corp. and Advantage Title. Other sponsors are South Edison Restaurant and Marshall & Sons.