The Greenport Maritime Festival returns revitalized this weekend
The Greenport Maritime Festival returns to the village waterfront October 16-18 after a leadership change and a furious nor’easter that swept across the North Fork created challenges and forced a postponement. One of the North Fork’s best-loved celebrations, the festival features boat races, a maritime parade, contests, live music, family activities and local food and drink.
Stony Brook Eastern Long Island Hospital is the festival’s title sponsor, while the Hold Fast Fund, a nonprofit founded by Ian Wile and Rosalie Rung to support North Fork residents and small businesses, is serving as the festival’s fiscal sponsor.
The festival enters a new chapter in 2026. After 35 years under the stewardship of the East End Seaport Museum, this year the event is being led by the Greenport Business Owners Alliance (GBOA) in collaboration with the museum, the Hold Fast Fund and local businesses, charitable organizations, artists, fishermen, makers and volunteers.
The GBOA is composed of four Greenport business owners who sprung into action to produce the festival: Sarah Phillips of First & South Bar & Restaurant, Kimberly Loper of Harbor Pet, Rena Wilhelm of The Weathered Barn and Kara Hoblin of the North Fork Art Collective.
The group say the goal is to build on the festival’s longstanding traditions while expanding participation throughout the village.
“Taking on the Maritime Festival was never about reinventing a 35-year tradition,” says Phillips. “It was about honoring what came before us while building a structure that allows it to grow and thrive for years to come. I want this festival to celebrate not just our waterfront but the people who make this village what it is.”
The festival’s website, greenportmaritimefestival.com, is the official information source for the event, with schedules, updates, applications, and assistance that can be accessed year-round.
