Out East: What to do in July + 4th of July Happenings
Here's how to celebrate the 4th and your July lineup of events.
Southampton Village 4th of July Parade: Saturday, July 4 at 10 a.m. My kids’ favorite day of the year. We post up along Jobs Lane with beach chairs, sun protection, and snacks
North Sea Fire Department Carnival: Tuesday, June 30 to Saturday, July 4 at 149 Noyac Road, Southampton, starting at 6 p.m. The volunteer department's annual carnival, with rides, games, and fair food, plus fireworks Thursday, July 2 and Saturday, July 4. An old-fashioned way to kick off summer.
4th of July fireworks shows to note:
Westhampton Beach: The Westhampton Country Club’s show off Potunk Lane. The club is members-only, but the display carries across much of the village, with Main Street a dependable spot. Around 9 p.m., rain date July 5.
North Sea (Southampton): Fireworks at dark over the carnival grounds on Noyac Road, two nights, Thursday, July 2 and Saturday, July 4 (see note above about carnival!).
Sag Harbor: The Sag Harbor Yacht Club’s show off Long Wharf, with Marine Park and Havens Beach the best free views. Around 9:30 p.m.
Amagansett: The Devon Yacht Club’s private display over Gardiner’s Bay, viewable from Fresh Pond Beach a couple of miles away. Around 9:15 p.m.
Montauk: Stars Over Montauk lights up Umbrella Beach, the biggest show on the East End, with Kirk Park Beach the place to set up. Arrive early. Around 9 p.m.
Greenport (North Fork): The Greenport Fire Department’s annual Fourth of July Carnival, launching from the Polo Grounds on Moores Lane near the harbor. Two nights, Thursday, July 2 and Saturday, July 4 at 10 p.m.
….and for the weekend following:
East Hampton: Clamshell Foundation Fireworks over Three Mile Harbor, the George Plimpton tradition. Maidstone Park, Sammy's Beach, and Gann Road are the prime spots. Saturday, July 11 around 9 p.m., rain date July 12.
Shelter Island: Fireworks over the bay at Crescent Beach, with the lawn and shoreline the easy viewing spots. Saturday, July 11 around 9 p.m.
If you’re the staying-in type, the Fourth is big in the city this year. Macy's 4th of July Fireworks turn 50 and, for the first time, will launch from three points across the waterfront, centered on the Brooklyn Bridge. Saturday, July 4 at 8 p.m. on NBC and Peacock
For the kids:
KidFEST at Guild Hall fills the Wednesday afternoons in East Hampton this July, each with a free workshop beforehand. Opening July 1 with Mario the Maker Magician at 1 p.m. and 4:30 p.m., robots, magic, and slapstick from a maker magician. Tim Kubart & The Space Cadets brings a full-band concert of sing-alongs and tap dancing July 8 at 4:30 p.m. Human – Nehprii Amenii follows July 15 at 1 p.m., a puppetry tale told by an octopus at the bottom of the ocean. And Story Pirates Live on July 22 at 4:30 p.m. with songs and improv comedy.
St. Luke's Summer Fair takes over the lawn at 18 James Lane in East Hampton on Saturday, July 11, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., now in its 140th year. Pony rides, a petting zoo, puppet shows, magic, a bouncy castle, and a silent auction that benefits the church's outreach work. It’s such a fun day!
CMEE Family Fair brings its Endless Summer theme to Bridgehampton Saturday, July 18, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., with arts and crafts, water play, and food trucks. This is such a fantastic party my kids love.
At the movies: A blockbuster month on the big screen. Minions & Monsters opens July 1, the third Minions outing, set in 1920s Hollywood. Moana follows July 10, Disney’s live-action remake. And Spider-Man: Brand New Day swings in July 31. All likely playing at the newly reopened Southampton Playhouse, my new favorite theater.
Hamptons Film Summer Outdoor Movies kick off Wednesday, July 8 with Mamma Mia! on Main Beach in East Hampton. Free, Wednesdays at sunset.
For the art and design lover: there’s a full weekend of it. The Hamptons Fine Art Fair takes over the Southampton Fairgrounds, July 9 to 12. The East Hampton Antiques & Design Show marks its 20th year at Mulford Farm, July 10 to 12. And East Hampton Art & Design Days runs all weekend and closes out Sunday, July 12 with design panels at Guild Hall.
Midsummer Night Drinks returns Saturday, July 11 for its 25th year, an afternoon of cocktails and poolside lounging hosted by David Burtka and Neil Patrick Harris at their East Hampton home, to benefit God's Love We Deliver.
For the sports lover: A stacked month. Wimbledon Finals for ladies’ on Saturday, July 11 and the gentlemen’s Sunday, July 12, both at 11 a.m. Polo Hamptons returns to Bridgehampton for two Saturdays, July 18 and July 25, from 4 to 7:30 p.m. And the World Cup Final is Sunday, July 19 at 3 p.m., with the tournament ending at MetLife Stadium.
For the arts lover:
Parrish Art Museum Midsummer Gala Saturday, July 18 in Water Mill. This year's "A Night in the Clouds" pairs a 5:30 p.m. dinner honoring Ellen Katz, Enoc Perez, Joan Semmel, and Hiroshi Sugimoto with a 9 p.m. to midnight Afterglow Party.
Watermill Center Summer Benefit returns to Water Mill with an Artist Dinner Friday, July 24 at 7 p.m. and the full Festival Saturday, July 25 at 6 p.m., this year's "limitless time" celebrating founder Robert Wilson with performances and installations across the grounds.
Pollock-Krasner House & Study Center: Jackson Pollock and Lee Krasner’s home and studio in Springs is a Hamptons gem that flies under the radar — and was a hit with my kids. We did the guided tour and everyone was riveted in the studio, where you slip on booties and walk right across the actual paint-splattered floor where Pollack made his drip paintings. Tours are by reservation only, and the guided slots sell out quick. We did the paint workshop afterward, where my kids made splatter paintings like Pollock, and we absolutely loved it.
I’ve slowly been trying to incorporate some independent work in the mornings (summer is long!). Here are some items my kids’ schools have recommended that may be helpful: math flash cards, sight word cards, and math review workbooks.
And some great strategic-thinking and problem-solving games recommended by the math teachers: Rush Hour (we love this one and a great travel game), Square Up, Rack-O, SET, Qwirkle, Head Full of Numbers, and Blokus (a personal family favorite)
This past weekend we grilled skirt steak and I paired it with this Vietnamese noodle salad (held off on the peanuts, loaded up the herbs, cucumber and lime) and it's already my top recipe of the summer. I can't wait to make it again.
Waffle Saturdays are becoming a weekly morning tradition in our household and such a great way to kick off the weekend. I love this simple waffle recipe and use this waffle maker. The kids love it!
For all those farm stand visits, get a great fruit and veggie wash, which I’ve heard great things about.
And now, a few fun shopping links: the perfect summer dress, the one-piece bathing suit everyone is raving about, my favorite sweater of the summer, and most importantly: a great everyday sunscreen. We have the 18 oz one by our door, which always reminds me to apply a few pumps before leaving the house.