On September 23 and 24, Greenport celebrates its nautical history in a big way. Sea lovers, fun seekers, foodies, shoppers, merpeople, pirates, and history buffs all gather for the annual Greenport Maritime Festival.

Hosted by the East End Seaport Museum and Marine Foundation, the weekend is a fundraiser, starting off with a Land and Sea Gala cocktail party Friday night featuring local food, dancing, and an auction.

Festival weekend highlights include entertainment, music, classic wooden boat displays, water sport demonstrations, kayak races, model shipbuilding, and family-friendly activities. Events take place at Mitchell Park, the marina, and locations throughout Greenport. Admission is free to the festival, but fees apply to some activities.

Throughout the weekend, festival-goers may purchase and feast on tasty food, craft beers, and local wines while listening to entertainers and perusing the wares and crafts of artisans. Dogs are welcome in many village locales — there’s even a rest area in Mitchell Park for pooches and their people to relax.

Other fun weekend features are the Merry Merfolk Parade on Saturday at 11:00 am and the Cardboard Regatta Sunday at 1:00 pm. Open to all, the parade is fun and whimsical, but with a serious side. The celebration and contributions support Bay to the Bays, a marine ecosystem component of the Cornell Cooperative Extension Program of Suffolk County. The cardboard races feature a construction component and is open to all, per race guidelines.

Visiting boaters

Transient slips may be available at Mitchell Park Marina (631-477-2200), Brewer Yacht Yard at Greenport (631-477-9594), Brewer Sterling Harbor Marina (631-477-0828), and Townsend Manor Inn (631-477-2000). Call ahead to confirm availability.

Information

631-477-2100

https://ccesuffolk.org/marine/back-to-the-bays

https://www.eastendseaport.org/about-the-festival

https://www.eastendseaport.org/2023-cardboard-regatta