Settlers Sweets and Games in Southold (Photo: Petite North Fork)
In this month’s “Petite North Fork Knows,” we’re sharing details on a spooky-fun train ride, a new spot in Southold where kids, tweens, and teens can gather and call their own, what to do with all those pumpkins, and more! Read on for five things we think families and caregivers living on or visiting the North Fork should know about, with the singular goal of making your life with kids easier and more connected. No gatekeeping here!
Settlers Sweets and Games is your kids’ new community hub
Just in time for the cold season, Settlers Sweets and Games, located in Southold’s Feather Hill Village, has opened a cozy new spot for kids of all ages to call their own. Settlers Sweets & Games is a place where “families can connect, make memories, and feel part of the community,” shared owner Eliot Ramirez. In addition to stocking unique sweets, Settlers Sweets & Games offers a welcoming space for kids to play games (in the lofted game room), hang out with friends, do their homework and study (in the new learning lounge), host their birthday parties, and more. Visit this fall Monday through Thursday from 3 to 6 p.m., on Fridays from 3 to 7 p.m., and on Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Settlers Sweets and Games is located at 53345 Main Rd., Building 11, Unit 2, Southold.
Take a haunted train ride aboard the Spooktacular Greenport Express
Two nights of spooky fun are back aboard the Greenport Express! Families, kids, and thrill-seekers of all ages are invited to ride the miniature train through the haunted woods on Moore’s Lane aboard the Halloween Spooktacular on Friday, October 30, from 4 to 9 p.m., and on Saturday, October 31, from 4 to 10 p.m. This once-a-year event, where “ghosts, goblins, and glowing pumpkins come to life along the tracks,” costs $10/person (Friday night $9/persons in costume), with tickets available day of at the Greenport Express Station. More details here.
Learn about lavender and honey with lessons and activity guides by Saltwater Farm
Thoughtfully designed hands-on lessons and scavenger hunts at a local farm? Immediate yes! As a former teacher with a passion for creating something both educational and fun, Saltwater Farm owner Anne Cynar has designed two guides—a Lavender Guide and a Honey Guide. “They both include a short lesson about the farm, a field scavenger hunt, and a take-home activity,” Anne shared with us. The guides, designed to be used on the Riverhead farm, are educational and interactive, with the goal of connecting and enjoying nature. There are two levels for each guide: one for children in pre-K to 2nd grade, and one for children in grades 3rd through 6th. Each guide costs $5 and can be purchased at the farm. Current hours are typically daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saltwater Farm is located at 3360 Sound Ave., Riverhead.
Compost your pumpkins and have fun doing it at this year’s Pumpkin Smash
Hosted by the Town of Riverhead at the Yard Waste Facility in Baiting Hollow, the Pumpkin Smash is a fun event and a great reason to compost your pumpkins. Bring your carved or whole pumpkins (no paint, plastic, or wax) on Saturday, November 7, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. for a day of smashing, tossing, and crushing. Large mallets will be provided, and large equipment will be on-site to crush. A drop-off area is also available for those on the go. The Yard Waste Facility is located at 472 Youngs Ave., Baiting Hollow.
Hallockville Museum Farm’s Naugles Barn will be home to the Riverhead Farmers Market
On Saturdays, beginning November 7 and running through April 24 (plus a one-off Sunday market on December 6), Hallockville Museum Farm will serve as home to the Riverhead Farmers Market in its historic Naugles Barn. The barn, which underwent extensive upgrades in 2025, including heat and bathrooms, will host upwards of 30 local farmers, artisans, and vendors, making an easy one-stop shop for all things farm to table and beyond. “We are excited to work with the Riverhead Farmers Market to create a welcoming place where the community can shop locally, support our regional food producers, and stay connected to agriculture throughout the winter,” said Hallockville Museum Farm’s new Executive Director, Marianne Della Croce, in a recent interview for East End Beacon. Hallockville Museum Farm is located at 6038 Sound Ave., Riverhead.