Whether catching a sunset at one of the many beautiful beaches, sampling the fresh, locally grown produce from a farm stand or playing a round of golf, there's an activity to suit every personality.
Go for a hike. Take a sail or a powerboat ride. Paddle a canoe or kayak. Go strawberry picking. Exercise the right side of the brain with an art class or workshop at the East End Arts Council in Riverhead. Take in a performance at North Fork Community Theatre in Mattituck or Vail-Leavitt Music Hall in Riverhead. Take a gallery walk in Greenport. Spend an afternoon at one of the local historical societies, Hallockville Museum Farm or the Southold Indian Museum.
Enjoy the views, and the talent, at Greenport's Shakespeare in the Park. Visit a winery or vineyard. Take in a concert -- there are dozens to choose from. Stop by one of the many street fairs, festivals or carnivals that take place throughout the summer, offering up everything from strawberry shortcake, street painting and old-fashioned open-air markets to world-class live music and stunning fireworks displays. Or take a friend out to the ball game to see the new college summer-league baseball teams play on local fields.
A sampling of the major events this summer, in chronological order:
Community Mosaic and Street Painting Festival. Sunday, May 24, noon to 5 p.m., on East Main Street, downtown Riverhead. This year's theme: Year of the Game. Street painting, arts and crafts, live music, storytellers and more. Free admission. Presented by East End Arts Council. Rain date: May 25.
Collegiate baseball. Games start June 4 and continue through July 30. Riverhead Tomcats play at Riverhead High School and Bishop McGann-Mercy High School in Riverhead; North Fork Ospreys' home fields are at Mattituck High School and Jean W. Cochran Park in Peconic. Visit hamptonsbaseball.org for complete schedule.
Mattituck Lions Club Strawberry Festival. Friday, June 19-Sunday, June 21, at Strawberry Fields fairgrounds, Route 48, Mattituck. Arts and crafts, live music, food vendors, carnival, games of chance, crowning of Strawberry Queen, fireworks, strawberries, shortcake and much more.
Old-Fashioned Street Fair. Saturday, July 11, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., on Love Lane, Mattituck. Little Miss Mattituck contest; live music; arts and crafts, merchandise and food vendors. Sponsored by Mattituck Chamber of Commerce. Rain date: July 12.
Riverhead Blues Festival. Saturday-Sunday, July 18-19, at riverfront venues in downtown Riverhead. "Down Home Blues Down by the River" features a long list of top performers, including Kim Simmonds and the Savory Brown Blues Band, Rosie Ledet and the Zydeco Playboys, Little Toby Walker and many more. Fireworks start at 9 p.m. Sunday night.
North Fork Craft Beer, BBQ and Wine Festival, Saturday, Aug. 8, 2-6 p.m., Martha Clara Vineyards, Herricks Lane entrance, Riverhead, with more than 120 brews from more than 50 craft breweries and live music. Tickets: $50 in advance; $70 at gate, if available; designated drivers, $10. Partial proceeds benefit Peconic Bay Medical Center, New York State Brewers Association and Terry Ferrell Firefighters Fund. Age 21 and over only.
Polish Town Street Fair and Festival, Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 15 and 16, in Polish Town USA, Pulaski Street, Riverhead. Vendors, Polish dancers, re-enactment of old-fashioned Polish wedding, polka festival and more.
Your guide to summer
Explore the sights, sounds, events and places to visit with your field guide to fun on the North Fork, Times/Review's "Vacation Guide." Pick up your free copy at local stores from Orient to Wading River.