34th annual Fall Festival and Craft Show set to open Sept. 13

On Saturday, September 13, and Sunday, September 14, from 1 to 5 p.m. Hallockville Museum Farm will host its 34th annual Fall Festival and Craft Show.

This annual fundraiser for the non-profit Museum Farm draws thousands of attendees each year to experience an old-fashioned fair atmosphere in the heart of North Fork farm country.

Over 50 vendors and demonstrators will participate over the course of the two-day event, selling their handcrafted items including woodcarvings, soaps, candles, jewelry, children’s books, seasonal and Christmas ornaments, baskets, rugs and more. Several fiber artists will also be selling handwoven scarves, knitting supplies and felted wool crafts.

The Fall Festival is a showcase for local artisans to educate the public about their craft, with demonstrations by the Smithtown Stichers, The Suffolk County Woodcarvers, and the Basket Weavers Guild of Eastern Long Island. Members of the Peconic Ruggers, a local rug-hooking guild will exhibit dozens of rugs made in this century in the historic 1937 Naugles Barn. In addition, the Ruggers will offer demonstrations, and opportunities for visitors to try the technique. “As long as you can hold the hook, you can begin rug hooking,” said guild member June Bassemir, adding that the craft is appropriate for ages 6 and up. “It is a wonderful craft that you never get bored with.” The guild will also offer complete kits to take home.

“Hallockville’s Fall Festival celebrates our shared agricultural heritage and the traditional folk artists of Long Island,” says Executive Director Herb Strobel. “It’s a great event for the whole family, with games and activities for all ages such as hayrides, a tractor pull and animal displays.”

The Railroad Museum of Long Island will present a working model train display, the Long Island Antique Power Association will stage a tractor pull, and the East End Livestock and Horseman’s Association will show their farm animals, including horses, goats and donkeys. Jack Combs, a celebrated fourth-generation Long Island decoy carver, will also educate spectators about this traditional maritime craft. Combs hails from a long line of South Shore baymen, boat builders and decoy carvers and will open his 120-year old workshop especially for the Fall Festival. Also new this year is an installation by Jack’s son, local artist and sculptor Michael Combs. Titled “Outhouse 2014” the piece is reminiscent of a traditional bayhouse and is a prototype for final work which will be exhibited at Parrish Art Museum. More on this work can be found here: http://parrishart.org/exhibitions/parrish-road-show-michael-combs

Local band Eastbound Freight will play live bluegrass music each day. There will be local food and beverage vendors, including Maple Tree BBQ, Rosie’s Kettle Corn, Island Empanada and Greenport Harbor Brewing Company in addition to Josephine’s Feast homemade jams, and Vines & Branches vinegars and olive oils.

Festival attendees can also take guided tours of Hallockville museum buildings, including the 1765 Hallock Homestead house and the Depression-era Cichanowicz farmhouse. The special War of 1812 exhibit “The Defense of the Eagle” will also be open for viewing. The exhibit traces the events that took place over three days in 1814 when the War of 1812 came to the shores of the North Fork and the local militia engaged with advancing British forces.

At-the-door admission rates are $8 for adults, $5 for children under age 12, or a family/group pass for $20 which is valid for 2 adults with 2 children. All proceeds support Hallockville Museum Farm, which is a 501c3 not-for-profit organization sustained largely through special events, membership contributions and charitable donations.

Hallockville Museum Farm is located at 6038 Sound Avenue in Riverhead. More information is available at www.hallockville.com or by contacting us at 631-298-5292 or hallockv@optonline.net.

Hallockville Museum Farm is a non-profit (501 (c)3) organization whose mission is to re-connect the community with its agricultural heritage. The 28-acre farm preserves 19 historic houses, barns and outbuildings ranging from the mid-18th century Hallock Homestead to the Depression-era Cichanowicz Farmhouse. Visitors can tour the museum’s buildings, gardens and collections; experience real farming in the museum’s fields; and meet Hallockville’s cows, sheep and chickens. The museum farm has educational programming for children and a summer camp; hosts festivals and craft fairs; and provides rental space for weddings and private parties. Partial support is provided by the County of Suffolk and the New York State Council on the Arts. Hallockville is located at 6038 Sound Avenue in Riverhead listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and is a Riverhead Town landmark.

Source: Press release issued by Hallockville Museum Farm, September 5.