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Atlantis
Marine World is situated along the Peconic
River in downtown Riverhead. It boasts many
exhibits and shows, and you can even take
a boat ride on the river. One really special
facet of this attraction is the gorgeous
creation of The Lost City of Atlantis and
King Poseidon’s Ancient Ruins within
the tanks. Private events and weddings are
permitted after hours in the Aquarium. www.atlantismarineworld.com
Hallockville
Museum Farm and Folklife Center is located
on Sound Avenue, just a few minutes from
the Long Island Expressway Exit 72. It is
listed on the National Register of Historic
Places and is comprised of many restored
buildings that contribute to the sense of
stepping back in time. Hallockville is available
for private events and weddings, both large
and small. www.hallockville.com
Wildwood
State Park is comprised of over 600 acres
of woodland and is located on LI Sound.
There are large picnic areas, pavilions,
baseball fields, and a boardwalk on the
beach. Not only is it a great place for
visits with the family, but also for some
corporate fun, a pre- wedding barbecue or
post- wedding brunch.
Sponsored
Events abound in the Town of Riverhead:
The Music Festival held on the Riverhead
Waterfront draws talented musicians nationwide.
Planning your private event around one of
the town-sponsored events might be a good
idea! To find out when special events are
happening, you can visit the Riverhead Chamber
of Commerce on Main Street or go to its
website at www.riverheadchamber.com
Long
Island Wine Country
Perhaps one of the best reasons to choose
the North Fork as the location for your
celebration is that guests can enjoy not
only the main event but various other activities
and pleasures of the community. Long Island
Wine Country is a true jewel in New York’s
crown. Some of the wineries can host small
gatherings and some can accommodate up to
2,000 guests. If you can plan a corporate
gathering mid week you can get great deals
on lodging, golf packages, and even rental
of winery facilities. Listed below are some
ideas you might want to consider
Private
Wine Tours and Tasting
The wineries on the North Fork will arrange
private tours and tasting for your group,
and can help arrange for music and food
service on or off premises. This is a wonderful
adjunct to a wedding, but business people
have discovered that its a good way to reward
employees and rekindle company spirit. If
you prefer, you can always just show up
at a vineyard! The tasting rooms are open
daily, and on weekends, there is often live
music, art shows, and other entertainment.
Picnics are welcome at most, and every winery
is anxious to assist people in selecting
the ideal wine to serve at their homes or
major events. A number of charters and limousine
services offer wine tours and they are listed
on www.eastendcelebrations.com/transportation.
An informative description of wineries can
be found on www.northforkweddings.com/wineries.
To purchase wines for your event, return
to the home page.
The
North Fork Farms
The farms on the North Fork have been credited
with providing an abundance of fresh vegetables
and fruit since the town’s founding
in 1640. They continue to do so, and if
they have not expanded their acreage, they
have expanded their operations. The farm
stands are picturesque, offer pick- your-
own fruits and veggies and provide entertainment
as well. Wickham’s Fruit Farm in Cutchogue
offers private tours on a variety of themes.
Surrounded by water on three sides, this
farm has been in the family since The Revolutionary
War. Hayride tours that can be customized
for your group are conducted by members
of the family and provide insight into the
land and its history. They are not expensive
and are a fine way to entertain guests and
business associates. Harbes Farm in Mattituck
is known for its gorgeous truckloads of
flowers in spring, its corn in summer, and
its pumpkins and corn maze in fall. This
farm hosts many public events and is available
for private gatherings. A third farm bearing
mention is Sang Lee Farm in Cutchogue. It
was launched into the public eye a few years
back when Martha Stewart “found”
it and it is well known for its Asian greens.
The owner, Karen Lee, offers cooking demonstrations
in private homes, B&B’s, and often
at the farm. Sang Lee Farm is often present
at such shows as Windows on LI Wines and
is a frequent guest at other wine related
activities. Check out the www.northforkweddings.com/activities
for more detailed information.
Bed
& Breakfasts
There are almost thirty B&Bs in the
township, and each is distinct with unique
qualities and amenities. Some have only
2 rooms for guests, most have 5, and a few
have 10. Just as their sizes differ, so
too does the suitability of each for a specific
event. One B&B has a gorgeous field
bordered by vineyards and weathered barns.
The field gives a wide sky for stargazing,
and the owner does “star gazing”
events for their guests. Another overlooks
the harbor in Greenport, and still another
is tucked quietly in the woods. There’s
even one B&B that has a full service
spa attached to it! Imagine the delight
of your coworkers being treated to this!
B&B owners are by nature very gregarious
and do all they can to assist their guests.
Most would be delighted to arrange for a
special wine pairings dinner right in the
dining room or any other activity you wish.
A number of B&Bs offer special packages,
and many of these are highlighted on www.northforkweddings.com
The
Hamptons
If you want “star power” for your
event, The Hamptons have it. It’s no
accident that The Hamptons have long been
known as THE place to summer. The social
calendar is surfeit with charity events,
galas, concerts, and major events such as
The US Open and The Hampton Classic Horse
Show. Corporations frequently act as sponsors
for such events, and/or arrange for corporate
gatherings to coincide with o them. Invitations
to weddings and private parties have immediate
panache when the location is the fabulous
Hamptons and the hospitality/event industry
in the area can boast some of the finest
and most professional providers.
A
Hampton Rental
A true Hampton Experience is a seasonal
rental. There are cottages, modest ranch
houses, modern beach houses, and mansions
behind hedgerows. Although they are pricey,
they can also be extremely cost effective.
When you consider that a rental may have
sleeping accommodations for many and also
provide a location for the “main event,”
the cost is well worth it. A 2-week rental
can bridge two weekends so that you can
entertain two separate groups. A 2-week
rental provides lodging for the entire bridal
party pre wedding, and a fabulous honeymoon
for the couple after the wedding. A property
with multiple rooms, spacious grounds, and
even service can be found from $15,000 and
upward for 1 or 2weeks. Check out the local
papers or visit www.southforkweddings.com
for information on rentals.
Windswept
Beaches
A bonfire, roasted corn, clams, and lobster:
the quintessential Hampton Experience? Indeed!
Local caterers and event planners will be
happy to assist you in planning such an
event. They know all the regulations and
are reservoirs of information for beach
parties. Unlike many seashore vacation spots,
the beaches in the Hamptons are not lined
with hotels and resorts. When the wealthy
families found this area so many years ago,
they built their homes to provide for ocean
views. Hence, you will need assistance and
guidance to hold an event on the beach.
Weddings on the beach are frequent, but
alternate plans have to be made, and a caterer
or event planner is the one to do this for
you. There are a few waterfront establishments
on both the harbor and the ocean, but they
are not the sort of resort properties you
may be familiar with from other areas. For
information on beaches in the Hamptons,
visit www.southforkweddings.com
or contact the local chambers of commerce.
A
Hampton Party
Many of the famous parties are held in private
homes. If you are not lucky enough to own
one, you can rent! (See above.) However,
there are alternatives. There are so many
famous restaurants in the area that accommodate
gatherings for private parties. The size
of your event may limit your choices, but
you will be sure to find a place that fits
the bill. There are a few large catering
establishments, wineries, small hotels,
and B&Bs. Montauk Downs State Park has
a great room providing fabulous views and
Cedar Point and Hither Hills State Parks
are also worth checking out. A further option
is to ‘piggy back” your party
onto a major event. The Hampton Classic
Horse Show, for instance, sells tables in
the tents. What could be classier than inviting
your guests to party at the largest and
most famous horse show in North America!!
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