The annual SouthamptonFest, a fall tradition for 13 years, returns to the Village of Southampton from Friday, Oct. 3, through Sunday, Oct. 5, with family-friendly activities.
“It kicks off on Friday night with the Southampton Rotary annual kick-off party at the Southampton Cultural Center, which is right next to Agawam Park,” said event organizer Nancy Kane. “It’s a gathering of old friends and new friends, with live music and an open bar. It sets a nice tone for the weekend.”
The event runs from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. and includes dancing.
Saturday is the main event when Agawam Park will feature activities including sheep shearing demonstrations, a petting zoo, and four live bands, including singer-songwriter Bella Cuomo, Kane said. Most activities run from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., but a free yoga session by Ananda Wellness & Yoga Center will be held at 8 a.m.
Also Saturday, the Chowder Contest features a dozen restaurants competing for best chowder.
“You try all the chowders and vote for your favorites. People love that,” Kane said.
A new sculpture will be unveiled at Agawam Park. Two residents donated $35,000 to purchase the stone sculpture. Artist Tachuela will attend from Argentina for the presentation.
“It’s like a checkerboard with lots of meaning—a stone sculpture, low and flat but interesting,” Kane said.
Children’s workshops include The Art Nanny’s Forever Sunflower paper sculptures, Ross School’s face painting, and ColorPop Southampton’s nature-inspired art workshop. A maze provided by Heart of the Hamptons will be on the grounds of the Southampton Arts Center at 25 Jobs Lane. The Roger Memorial Library will host a Kid Zone with free books and other activities.
Emergency responders, including firefighters and ocean rescue, will demonstrate their work. A hook and ladder truck will provide elevated views of the Atlantic Ocean.
From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., a farmers’ and artisans market will be held at the Chamber of Commerce site, 76 Main St., with live music by Classic Jam.
“There are exhibits at every museum and cultural center,” Kane said.
Highlights include the Southampton Arts Center’s preview of their newest exhibit, Second Skin, exploring the fusion of art and fashion.
Other exhibits include Tides of Creativity at the Southampton Cultural Center; Homefront to Battlefront: Southampton during World War II at Veterans Hall presented by the Southampton History Museum; and the Southampton African American Museum’s unveiling of artwork by Shaunte Lewis at the park. Peter Marino Art Foundation will offer guided tours at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., and Southampton Playhouse will screen Under the Sea in IMAX.
Southampton History Museum Executive Director Sarah Kautz said the museum has participated in SouthamptonFest since its inception.
“Of course, the historic sites the museum owns and operates are really important to the history of the village,” she said. Attendees will have the opportunity to “learn a little bit about the incredible 400 years of history here.”
Kautz noted that Homefront to Battlefront, presented with the Village Commission on Veterans Patriotic Events at Veterans Memorial Hall, is timely because this year marks the 80th anniversary of World War II.
The Pelletreau Silver Shop, associated with a Revolutionary War silversmith, will be open on Main Street with demonstrations by artist Alyssa Saccente. The Nugent Carriage House Thrift Shop, located at 17 Meeting House Lane in the Rogers Mansion Complex, will be open Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Thomas Halsey Homestead, one of the oldest English colonial homes in the state, located at 249 S. Main St., will also be open.
The weekend concludes Sunday with a free jazz jam session by East End Jazz at the Southampton Cultural Center, 25 Pond Lane. The East Meets West Jazz Jam Session starts at 2 p.m. and will become a tradition on the first Sunday of each month.
For more information, visit https://southamptonvillage.org.