You’ve got to love Long Island. It’s close and – depending on where you’re headed – remote.
If you’re headed to the island the weekend of July 15 through 17 get engaged in what’s going on. There’s a bunch. The Long Island Convention & Visitors Bureau and Sports Commission recommends:
Take in the Great South Bay Music Festival. Electric Hot Tuna and Umphrey’s McGee are among the headliners for this outdoor three-day festival celebrating music, arts and heritage. There’s more than music to be had. Food and crafts abound, as does a serious sense of patriotism. Find the festival at the junction of Rider Ave. and Smith St. Shorefront Park in Patchogue. Admission runs $22 per day, or a weekend pass can be had or $52.
Pay attention to the ponies at Belmont Race Track Park. Party at the Park gets underway Friday July 15 with a special 3pm post time. When racing concludes after 7pm in the evening, live music takes over at Belmont’s Backyard. Head to 2150 Hempstead Turnpike in Elmont.
Explore the Oceanside Summer Festival. Like to browse? Love to discover that unique antique, unearth a one-of-a-kind collectible? Consumed by crafts? You’ll want to check out the Oceanside Summer Festival. It’s in the city of the same name, at Schoolhouse Green on Foxhurst Road. Admission is free to the July 16 through July 17 celebration.
Honor the Armed Forces with the Long Island Philharmonic. Saturday July 16 is the date and Heckscher State Park in East Islip is the setting for a free concert honoring American servicemen and servicewomen. Fireworks provide the backdrop. You provide the patriotism.
Stroll Greenport’s galleries. If you like art, good food, and serendipitous discovery, then the Village of Greenport is the place to be Saturday, July 16. That’s the date for this month’s Gallery Walk. To fuel you along the way the Village’s restaurants will stay open late. Bring along an appetite and – more importantly – your imagination. Gallery Walk gets under way at 6pm and winds down at 9pm.
Revel in Rapunzel with the kids at Theater Three. Come on, let down your hair and bring along the kids. A musical based on the classic children’s tale plays July 15 and 16 at Theater Three Productions. You’ll find it at 412 Main St. in Port Jefferson.
Kick back with a free outdoor flick. The Long Island Maritime Museum is the site and sunset Friday July 15 is the date. Contact the museum to see what’s showing.
If you’re flying in one option is to eschew JFK, LaGuardia or Newark and book a seat to Islip. Discount airline Southwest offers 22 daily departures to a half-dozen cities out of MacArthur Airport. There are nonstop Baltimore/Washington flights to Islip, Chicago flights to Islip, Ft. Lauderdale flights to Islip, Orlando flights to Islip, Tampa flights to Islip, and West Palm Beach flights to Islip.
Search and compare cheap flights to Islip.
Story by Jerry Chandler
(Image: mandyxclear)
