Photo gallery: Riverhead celebrates fall with Hallockville Country Fair and witches paddle
Riverhead embraced the spooky season on a spectacular fall Saturday this weekend, with the 45th annual Hallockville Country Fair celebrating Long Island’s farming past and costumed paddlers taking to the Peconic River downtown.
At historic Hallockville Museum Farm, visitors met farm animals, sampled food from vendors, listened to live music and learned a few dance steps inside the barn.
“Every year, we try to add a little bit more and some new activities for families to enjoy,” said executive director Marianne Della Croce. “This year, we had a scarecrow-making competition. We also had a produce competition and a jam competition. It’s a bit bigger and better each year.”
The fair is one of the museum’s largest events of the year, offering something for first-time visitors and longtime regulars alike.
“We came to enjoy the day,” said attendee Sharon O’Malley. “It’s family-fun and we like the historical aspect.”
Downtown, the Peconic Riverfront got a little spookier as witches and wizards took to the water for the inaugural Witches and Wizards Paddle on the Peconic.
A handful of paddlers joined the free event, many in costume, for a last taste of warm weather before fall fully settles in.
“I saw the event online and then I sent it to a friend of mine. I signed us up right away,” said East Moriches resident Dawn Marie McAvoy. “I’ll come back next year, absolutely. I love to paddle. You have to get involved. That’s what life is. It’s fun.”
Downtown Riverhead Business Improvement District Executive Director Melissa Martin said the event grew from an idea to bring together paddlers and people looking for a fun fall outing.
“I could envision it growing,” Ms. Martin said. “October is a very busy month, but it’s a gorgeous day, and it’s such a fun vibe with everybody dressing up. The whole point was to bring together paddlers and people who want to have fun.”
Photos by Nick Mongiovi
