Harbes Family Farm in Mattituck is hosting a Fourth of July celebration featuring free live music, family activities, and farm-fresh food from Friday, July 4, through Sunday, July 6. The event highlights include daily concerts, pig races, and the debut of two miniature Highland cows.
Live performances are scheduled each day from 1 to 5 p.m. in the farm courtyard. Friday’s performer is acoustic artist Nick Kerzner, who covers genres from 1960s rock to contemporary alternative. On Saturday, singer and guitarist Matt Taylor will perform, followed by Long Island-based Evans & James on Sunday, playing a mix of classic and current songs.
Concession stands will offer items including tomato and mozzarella paninis. Farm owner Ed Harbes also pointed to the restored 100-year-old Wine Barn, which features tastings made from the farm’s own produce. Visitors can also sample homemade hard cider made by his son using local apples.
Admission includes access to the farm’s eight-acre Barnyard Adventure, open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Attractions include musical hayrides, animal encounters and family games.
“The pig races are fantastic,” Harbes said. Audience members can win a prize if their chosen pig finishes first. Each pig wears a distinct color for identification at the finish line.
New this year are two miniature Highland cows, Mocha and Maise, featured in the animal encounters area. “They’re miniature cows. They only get about 3 feet tall, and they’re pretty young,” Harbes said.
Other activities include pedal carts, Jumbo Jumper pillows—including one for younger children—and a sports zone with baseball, basketball and football tossing games. The Lil’ Farmers PlayLand, designed for preschoolers, includes a trike track, hedge maze, animatronic chicken show and other age-appropriate features.
Susan Brewster, a recent visitor, told South Shore Press, “Our grandchildren and our children love to come to Eastern Long Island every summer and over the Fourth of July weekend, and the highlight of their time here is going to Harbes farm and barnyard. You’re not standing online for a ride that you know lasts just a short time. But you’re actually doing things yourself and getting on a gunny sack and sliding down a big, long slide.”
The Harbes family has farmed on the North Fork for more than 13 generations, initially growing potatoes. As demand for the crop declined, they shifted to agritourism and launched the Barnyard Adventure to offer family entertainment.
“It was a real answer to our prayers because a lot of my former potato farming colleagues are out of business or have moved on to other things. We’re happy to use our agricultural land and experience in a way that the public still wanted,” Harbes said.
Harbes, a father of eight, said the farm’s programming is designed with families in mind.
“We try to make sure the farm is a fun place to come to, not only to buy whatever vegetables you take home with you,” he said.
For more information on the Fourth of July celebration and the Sunflower Festival, scheduled for July 12–13, visit https://harbesfamilyfarm.com.