Although snow is still on the ground, organizers are already gearing up for one of Greenport’s biggest events of the year this fall, the 2014 Maritime Festival.
Vendor applications, as well as rules and regulations forms, are now now available for the 2014 Maritime Festival, to be held on Sept. 20 and 21 from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m., with the focus, once again, on artisans and local growers.
Last year, the Maritime Festival saw a shift away from outside vendors, with the spotlight on local crafts, produce, growers and food.
“We are building upon the positive momentum from last year that featured artisans, local agriculture and aquaculture,” said Rena Casey-Wilhelm, who sits on the Maritime Festival Committee. “I read an article recently that coined the term ‘dock to table’ that I found brilliant. And since the North Fork has been steadily gaining even more recognition for its farmers of land and sea, we want to promote what the area is all about. The North Fork is an exceptional landscape. We are celebrating what makes it so special,” she said.
The annual Greenport Maritime Festival, hosted by the East End Seaport & Marine Foundation in partnership with the Village of Greenport, will once again include last year’s popular Merfolk Contest, which brought out scores of mermaid costumed-tykes.
“The addition of wineries and oyster shucking was fantastic but it is equally important that we bring the chowder contest back,” Casey-Wilhelm said. The popular chowder contest was not a part of last year’s Festival, stirring up some controversy.
“Having reached out to volunteers already, we look forward to much participation this year from our local restaurants. We will also continue the food truck food court. This was an amazing success to not only drive traffic towards North Main Street, but an opportunity for some of the local restaurants on the outskirts of the immediate downtown to participate,” she said.
The Festival, which attracts over 40,000 people annually, features nautical arts and crafts, classic wooden boats, activities for children and families, music, pirate shows, local produce and seafood, wines and craft beer, fireworks, visits by Tall Ships, and excursions to Bug Light.
For more information, email maritimefestival2014@gmail.com. Vendors should click here for regulations and information, and here for an application.
