Look out, Southampton—here comes SeptemberFest 2012! That’s right, this weekend is when it’s all going down. All day on Saturday, September 29, the streets of Southampton will be hopping with family fun, and Agawam Park will be jumping to free live music. So drink whatever caffeinated beverage you think will sustain you, and get to Southampton early.
Actually, SeptemberFest gets started Friday night at Agawam Park with the aptly named Friday Night Kickoff Party. Starting at 6:30 p.m., the party will feature live music from the “mash-up band” New Life Crisis, preceded by the musical stylings of Beau Hulse (local realtor extraordinaire). Tickets for this event are $25 in advance or $35 at the door. There will be complimentary beer and wine from 6:30 to 8 p.m., after which a cash bar will stay open until 9:30 p.m. Food will be available from a convoy of local food trucks. For advance tickets, visit the Southampton Chamber of Commerce, Southampton Village Offices, the Southampton Publick House or go to the Southampton Cultural Center website (select their “Buy Tickets” option). Or, if you know any Rotarians, you could ask them! The proceeds from this event help fund SeptemberFest and charities supported by the Southampton Rotary Club.
The family fun begins at 10 a.m. on Saturday, with a schedule brimming with street performers, street musicians, children’s crafts and much more.
The Southampton Historical Museum will host a full roster of fun, historically-oriented activities from 10a.m. to 4 p.m., including a demonstration of historical cooking techniques and the reenactment of a 19th century wedding. The Southampton Cultural Center will be exhibiting a Juried Art Show from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. And, starting at 11 a.m. on the steps of the Parrish Art Museum, a series of children’s art activities will take place, including face painting, pumpkin painting and airbrush tattoos.
While the children are engaged with art projects at the Parrish, they are likely to catch a thrilling performance by Jester Jim. This comic juggler and magician brings good times for all ages. He is scheduled to appear on the Parrish grounds at 11:30 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m., so make your plans around that. Also contributing his circus talents to the proceedings will be strolling performer Keith Leif, a stilt-walker, juggler and magician, who will be hard to miss as he makes his way along Main Street and Jobs Lane.
From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., the steps of Southampton Village Hall will bear witness to the Maniac Pumpkin Carvers, who are dedicated to taking pumpkin carving to the next level. Watch out for your thumbs, folks! Also, from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., there will be Hay Rides starting from the Chamber of Commerce building.
As for food, two events start at noon in Agawam Park. More than a dozen Southampton restaurants will compete in a clam chowder contest, and you’ll get to vote (results to be declared at 3 p.m.). Just purchase a mug to participate in the chowder tasting—the proceeds benefit the Southampton Cultural Center. If you need a break from all that chowder, there will also be the Taste of Southampton, featuring local food, wine and beer from Southampton’s finest caterers, restaurants, wineries and breweries. This food and drink is a la carte, but portions are expected to be substantial.
Saturday won’t be lacking for music, either. In addition to numerous street performers scattered about the village, including local favorite Sara Hartmann and “American Idol” contestant Leah Laurenti, starting at noon, Agawam Park will feature a free concert with local and national entertainers. (Note: the concert is free, but the park is likely to get crowded, so if you want a good spot you’ll want to strategize.) The lineup includes Project Vibe at noon, the Montauk Project at 2 p.m., indie favorite Goldspot at 3:15 p.m., Miles to Dayton at 4:30 p.m. and the headliner, Rhett Miller and his band, the Serial Lady Killers, starting at 6 p.m. Miller came to prominence with the alt-country band the Old 97’s, and has released several highly acclaimed solo albums. His cover of Simon and Garfunkel’s “Homeward Bound” was featured in a MasterCard advertising campaign, while his version of the classic Beatles song “Girl” was included on a tribute to the Beatles album Rubber Soul. Miller is sure to be a big draw, and will bring SeptemberFest in Southampton to a memorable conclusion
