Long Islanders love food festivals, with their rollicking sense of fun and abundance of good eats. No matter where you live, you will find something to celebrate—sometimes, right around the corner.
Feast of St. Rocco, Glen Cove
July 25-28, Church of St. Rocco
Sal Presta and Paolo Abondondolo eat sausage and pepper sandwiches at the Feast of St. Rocco in Glen Cove. Credit: Linda Rosier
The “Nonnas” don’t mess around—more than a dozen women (many Italian grandmothers) spend the weeks leading up to St. Rocco’s annual summer feast cooking in the church hall. This is the homestyle Italian food festivalgoers wait for all year: meatballs, Italian sausage and peppers, eggplant rollatini, short rib fettuccine, chicken and veal Parms and much (much) more. Dubbed the “best feast in the East,” the four-day affair has daily food specials, a dedicated area for desserts (think cannoli and espresso), plus nightly entertainment, including a marching band and live music.
More info: 18 Third St., Glen Cove. Free admission, 6–11 p.m. July 25 and 26; 3–11 p.m. July 27; 2–9 p.m. July 28, 516-676-2482, newtonshows.com
Greek Festival, Port Jefferson
Aug. 22-25, Greek Orthodox Church of the Assumption
This annual four-day festival—a spirited show of Hellenic pride—has been going on for more than 50 years. The parish erects an elaborate tented taverna complete with table service, and the homemade food includes traditional Greek salad, gyros, spanakopita (spinach pie), moussaka (a layered combination of lamb, eggplant and cheese) and pastitsio (basically, Greek lasagna). Then come the pastries. Yes, there’s baklava, but the biggest draw may well be loukoumades, traditional fried dough balls drizzled with honey. The festival includes live music, dancing, vendors, carnival rides and church tours—but culminates with the Sunday’s drawing of over-the-top raffle prizes such as luxury cars, cash and electronics.
More info: 430 Sheep Pasture Rd., Port Jefferson. $2 admission (free ages 12 and younger). 5–10 p.m. Aug. 22; 5–11 p.m. Aug. 23; 1–11 p.m. Aug. 24; noon–9 p.m. Aug. 25. Free parking and shuttle from Ward Melville High School. 631-473-0894, portjeffgreekfest.com
Baconfest
Aug. 23-24, Plattduetsche Park
Franklin Square’s traditional German beer garden has long been a destination for Bavarian cheer (and beer), but all the more so during its exuberant seasonal theme parties, which often feature special à la carte menu items and live entertainment. Plattduetche’s ode to bacon celebrates all things pork with a pig roast, plus bacon-themed dishes, drinks and dessert ($5 cover; 6–11 p.m. Aug. 23 and 24). As the season shifts to fall, Ompafest (Sept. 22; $12; free for ages younger than 12; 11a.m.–10 p.m.) and Oktoberfest Days (free admission; 5–11 p.m. Oct. 4 and 11; noon–11 p.m. Oct. 5 and 12; noon–9 p.m. Oct. 6 and 13) involve German wursts, colossal soft pretzels, music and dancing.
More info: 1132 Hempstead Tpke., Franklin Square, 516-354-3131, parkrestaurant.com
Seafood Festival, West Sayville
Aug. 24-25, Long Island Maritime Museum
The Long Island Maritime Museum's Seafood Festival is an annual tradition in West Sayville. Credit: Randee Daddona
The museum’s annual summer soirée is a waterside celebration with smalltown vibes. There are two food pavilions serving all manner of seafood, from oysters and clams to lobster rolls, courtesy of Claws Seafood Market and the Blue Island Oyster Company. With burgers, fries and beyond on offer from food trucks, landlubbers won’t starve, either. The weekend-long event invites visitors aboard the museum’s restored oyster sloop, Priscilla, a National Historic Landmark, and there are live music and arts and crafts vendors as well.
More info: 88 West Ave., West Sayville, $10 admission (free ages 11 and younger). 11 a.m.–6 p.m. Aug. 24-25, 631-854-4974, limaritime.org.
Mother Cabrini Italian Feast
Aug 23-Sept. 1, Suffolk County Community College's Brentwood-Grant Campus
Consider it a guilty pleasure—a massive carnival with a food court that stretches a quarter mile in length. Fried dough and corn dogs have nothing on the selections here, which include Italian favorites as well as street food from a wide range of cuisines—including empanadas, tacos, gyros and beyond. And you never know—you might find yourself entering the annual zeppole-eating contest.
More info: 1001 Crooked Hill Rd., Brentwood. Free admission, starts at 6 p.m. Aug. 23, 29-30, and Sept. 2; 4 p.m. Aug. 24-25 and 31, and Sept. 1, 631-499-6824, newtonshows.com
Long Island Garlic Festival, Riverhead
Sept. 14-15, Waterdrinker North Fork
This annual homegrown celebration of the local garlic harvest (“the stinkiest festival on Long Island”) marks its 22nd year in Riverhead. Vendors sell garlic-flavored everything—from bread and loaded fries to ice cream. Family-friendly entertainment includes cheeky musical hayrides and a garlic-themed scavenger hunt.
More info: 4560 Sound Ave., Riverhead. $20 admission (subject to change; free ages 2 and younger). 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Sept. 14-15, water-drinker.com
Pickle Festival, Greenlawn
Sept. 21, John Gardiner Farm
The annual Pickle Festival celebrates the John Gardiner Farm in Greenlawn. Credit: NEWSDAY/Johnny Milano
Greenlawn’s storied pickle history dates back to the 1800s, when farmer Alexander Gardiner pioneered a movement to plant cucumbers that grew into an industry. The Greenlawn–Centerport Historical Association’s festival keeps the spirit alive at the site of the family farm, now a museum, where an annual festival features specialty pickles, craft vendors, farm-grown vegetables, baked goods, a lollipop farm train and family activities.
More info: 900 Park Ave., Greenlawn. $5 admission (free younger than 12). 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Sept. 21, 631-754-1180, greenlawncenterporthistorical.org
Oyster Festival, Oyster Bay
Oct. 19-20, Theodore Roosevelt Park and along Audrey Avenue
More than 200,000 people stream into Oyster Bay for the annual waterfront festival celebrating these bivalves. Fresh oysters are served by the half-dozen faster than volunteers can shuck them. The food courts feature once-a-year specialties proudly prepared by civic groups—fried oysters from the Mill River Rod & Gun Club, oyster stew from the Oyster Bay Lions Club made from a secret recipe said to be traced back to the former Uwe’s restaurant. Beyond the food, there are stages with live entertainment, midway rides, a juried arts and crafts fair as well as oyster eating and shucking contests.
More info: Free admission. 11 a.m.–6 p.m. Oct. 19 and 20, 516-628-1625, theoysterfestival.org.
