Steal My North Fork Itinerary for July
Aaaaahh, July! Summer is here in all her glory. We’re barefoot and sun-kissed, have eaten more Magic Fountain than we’re willing to admit, and have completely lost track of what day it is — and we’re thrilled by it! This month, we’re frolicking through French lavender, marching in a small-town Fourth of July parade, catching sunsets at a family-friendly waterside bar, noshing on lobster with our North Fork neighbors at one of the best community events, and so much more. Come along, friends; high summer on the North Fork welcomes you to dive right in. Here’s what you’ll find us doing throughout July.
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Frolicking through French lavender at Lavender By The Bay, East Marion (and Calverton)
A few hours at Lavender By The Bay is a MUST for our crew when the lavender fields are in bloom. While the English lavender bloom is coming to an end, French lavender is preparing to make its stunning full-bloom debut during the first half of this month. We’ll be visiting the farm with our petite crew for endless rows of breathtaking purple hues. Visit info and tickets here.
Watching the summer sun set with friends at Low Tide Beach Bar, Greenport
For the best sunset in town, plus a family-friendly vibe, you’ll find us at Low Tide Bar at SoundView. Open Friday through Sunday from 5 to 9 p.m., this family-friendly spot features live music, bites (kid-friendly ones, too!), bonfires, and drinks. Soak up summer while your kid crew skips rocks into the Sound. Visit here to learn more.
Making collages, kaleidoscopes, and sculptures at Art Lab at Hotel Moraine, Greenport
Art Lab at Hotel Moraine, led by Nicole Roccaro of Artfully Long Island, invites artists of all ages, from tiny to teen, to create at their own pace using recycled and upcycled materials. Two sessions are planned for July: Sunday, July 5th, and Sunday, July 19, both from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tickets cost $15/person and can be purchased here. July 5th's session will feature mosaic collages and cardboard kaleidoscopes, and July 19th’s session will feature jellyfish collages and wire sculptures.
Marching in Southold’s Annual Fourth of July Parade, Southold
Every single year, something about this sweet, hometown parade makes me feel so sentimental that my eyes swell with hopeful tears. I’m sure this year will be no exception. On Saturday, July 4, beginning at noon, we’ll cheer on the Annual 4th of July Parade in Southold presented by the Southold Village Merchants and the Southold American Legion. The parade will take place from Boisseau Avenue along Main Road to Tuckers Lane. Come early to snag a spot as this parade is a big hit.
Sipping sparkling while the kids play in the grass at Monday Night Fizz & Fry at Sparkling Pointe, Southold
Kids at a winery?! Yep, and don’t come at me for it. Monday evenings through summer from 4:30 to 7 p.m., gather at Sparkling Pointe for a night of sparkling wine and food presented by Balo’s Foods. The menu features popcorn chicken, a fried shrimp basket, fish and chips, Balo’s famous seafood stuffies, tacos, empanadas, and more — something for everyone in your crew. This weekly summer series invites families to enjoy the vineyard alongside neighbors and friends. Visit here to learn more. Walk-ins and reservations welcome.
Going for a sail on tall ship “Kalmar Nyckel” as it sails from Greenport, Greenport
No matter how many times we’ve stepped foot aboard a tall ship, “Kalmar Nyckel”, our crew can’t get enough of the experience. Later this month, Kalmar Nyckel, known as “The Tall Ship of Delaware,” is back in Greenport with day sails from Monday, July 20 through Sunday, July 26, and free deck tours on Saturday, July 25 from 2 to 7 p.m. Day sails sell out fast, so reserve now. Also, keep your pulse on Petite North Fork for an upcoming roundup with complete details of all tall ships set to visit Greenport this summer.
Attending the pint-sized, annual Jamesport Fire Department Bazaar, Jamesport
Kids on a carnival high after last month’s Mattituck Strawberry Festival? Treat them to rides, games, food, fireworks, and fun at this pint-sized carnival that feels wayyyyy less overstimulating than any carnival I’ve been to before. The Annual Jamesport Fire Department Bazaar will run from Tuesday, July 14 through Saturday, July 18, with a parade on Wednesday and fireworks on Saturday. Complete schedule and details here.
Grooving to live tunes at Orient Beach State Park’s Concert Series: Music by the Beach, Orient
Live music returns to Orient Beach State Park this month with the park’s music series: Music by the Beach — a bi-weekly live-music concert kicking off on July 7 with Linden Farm All Stars, and on July 21, GUNK. These free concerts will run from 5 to 7 p.m. And be sure to grab dinner from new eatery, Third Culture Club, at Orient Beach State Park. Complete lineup here.
Cracking into lobster claws and tails with friends and neighbors at Lobsterfest, Mattituck
Join us, your North Fork neighbors, and friends for an evening of fun and the ultimate summer food: lobster! (Don’t worry, non-shellfish eaters, steak, and kids’ food are also available.) This year’s Greenport and Southold Rotary Lobsterfest, which will be held at Veterans Beach in Mattituck, is planned for Saturday, July 25, from 5 until 8 p.m. with live music and dancing until 9 p.m. Choice of lobster or steak for adults and hot dog or hamburger for the kiddos—complete info and tickets here.
Cutting our own bespoke bouquets at Horton’s Flower Farm, Mattituck
Last year, my daughter and I planned a QT date at Horton’s Flower Farm. There, we enjoyed a peaceful afternoon chatting while snipping stems and creating our own bouquets to take home. This year, Horton’s Flower Farm is reopening for the season on Saturday, July 11, with a Kids’ Day, where families are invited to the farm from noon until 3 p.m. for a scavenger hunt, crafts, sweet treats, and, of course, flowers. The cost is $45/child. Learn more and register here. Space limited.