LongIsland.com

LongIsland.com's 2014 May Family Fun Guide: Spring Fairs & Festivals, Memorial Day & More Seasonal Fun!

Written by Sandra Stelmach  |  01. May 2014

We have officially entered the month of May which is known for flowers that have officially sprung from the ground creating a beautiful landscape across Long Island. As the flowers continue to bloom, locals are also beginning to liven up and enjoy the warm Spring weather. With more sunshine during the day, there’s plenty of fun-filled events to keep you busy this month.

Earth Day may have been last month but that is no reason to stop helping the environment. Volunteers will be at sixteen parks across Long Island who will help clean up, improve and sustain our state parks and beaches in hopes of improving the environment and wildlife habitats for the third annual I Love My Park Day on Saturday, May 3rd. Help make the parks and beaches near you cleaner and better by volunteering!

After working up a sweat, enjoy a delicious dish for Cinco de Mayo - a day of observance of Mexican heritage and pride. Mexican restaurants and others will be serving special dishes, drinks and menus in celebration of Cinco de Mayo. Get your fiesta on!

Be sure to also show mom how much you love, care and appreciate her for all those little and big things she does to make sure your day goes smoothly this Mother’s Day. From brunches to simple gift ideas, there’s something for every mom that will sure put a smile on her face.

We also can’t forget about Memorial Day Weekend. Memorial Day is a federal holiday which falls on the last Monday of the month and it is not only the unofficial start of summer as locals begin to grill on the BBQ but also a time to honor and remember all the veterans who have served for our country to protect us and our freedom.

Whether you’re looking to get out and play or simply spend more time mom and the rest of the family this month, we’ve got you covered with all the highlights for the month here with LongIsland.com’s 2014 May Entertainment Guide packed with the hottest happenings the whole family can enjoy!

May Madness
With the warmer weather here, there are plenty of things to do to keep yourself busy while also enjoying yourself with these events.

  • 24th Annual Lindenhurst Spring Festival FREE
    Wellwood Avenue, Lindenhurst, NY 11757
    631-225-1178
    Friday, May 2nd - Sunday, May 4th - 12 PM to 5 PM
    The Lindenhurst Chamber of Commerce is hosting its annual Spring Festival filled with family fun and featuring numerous vendors selling their services and items for the community to enjoy.
     
  • 45th Annual Spring Plant Sale at Clark Botanic Garden FREE
    193 I. U. Willets Path, Albertson, NY 11507
    516-484-220
    Friday, May 2nd - Saturday, May 3rd - 10 AM to 4 PM
    The Clark Botanic Garden will be holding its annual spring plant sale, just in time for Mother's Day! There will be many booths with a large variety of plants and flowers, including trees, shrubs, herbs, perennials, annuals, hanging baskets, vegetables, and much more. Shop around to find the perfect gift for mom!
  • Annual Pet Parade Benefit at the Congregational Church of Patchogue
    95 E. Main Street, Patchogue, NY 11722
    631-666-7181
    Saturday, May 3rd - 9 AM to 1 PM
    $10
    Help support the animals of Long Island against domestic violence and mistreatment. All proceeds benefit the Suffolk County Coalition Against Domestic Violence. The event will feature a costume/talent contests for pets, bounce houses, face painting, music and more!
  • Car Show and Swap Meet at Long Island MacArthur Airport
    100 Arrivals Avenue, Parking Field 10, Ronkonkoma, NY 11779
    631-567-5898
    Sunday, May 4th - 8 AM to 5 PM
    $8 per person
    Come on down to Super Swap Sunday, featuring classic and collectible automobiles including show cars from the fifties, sixties, seventies, street rods, antiques, exotics, muscle cars and imports. Enjoy food, refreshments and entertainment! Rain or shine!

Fairs and Festivals
Here are some of the biggest Spring festivals and fairs going on this month for the whole family to enjoy!

  • Port Jefferson Boater's Maritime Festival at Port Jefferson Village Center FREE
    Main Street, Port Jefferson, NY 11777
    631-473-4724
    Saturday, May 3rd - Sunday May 4th - 11 AM to 6 PM
    Celebrate the beautiful harbor and its rich maritime heritage with a boat show, live demonstrations and water activities that will be on display along the harbourfront. There will also be food, music, pirates, sailing instruction, touch tank and boat building!
  • 2nd Annual Long Beach Super Boardwalk and Street Fair FREE
    125 East Broadway, Long Beach, NY 11561
    516-442-6000
    Saturday, May 3rd - Sunday, May 4th - 10 AM to 6 PM
    Go for a dip in the ocean for a fee and shop around for the perfect items you and your family will love. Enjoy a relaxing, unique and fun filled day!
  • 31st Annual Dutch Festival at Hofstra University
    1000 Fulton Avenue, Hempstead, NY 11550
    516-463-6582
    Sunday, May 4th - 11 AM to 5 PM
    $7 Adult/ $5 senior citizen/ Children under 12 Free
    Celebrate the Dutch heritage with live entertainment, kid’s activities, and plenty of “shopportunities” before Mother’s Day.  Stroll through our beautiful campus with our tulips in bloom.
  • 36th Annual Village of Great Neck Street Fair FREE
    Middle Neck Road, Great Neck, NY 11020
    631-724-5966
    Sunday, May 4th - 11 AM to 6 PM
    Support the local businesses of Great Neck in the town’s street fair featuring over 150 vendors showcasing a wide array of handmade crafts and gift items, businesses and services, and food. There will be activities for the kids including free pony rides and petting zoo!
  • Open-Air Fair at MacArthur Airport FREE
    Trade Zone Drive/Arrival Avenue, Ronkonkoma, NY 11741
    516-698-3081
    Saturday, May 10th - Sunday, May 11th - 9 AM to 5 PM
    Don't miss out on the grand opening of the Open-Air Fair at MacArthur Air and enjoy some great shopping, great vendors, and an international food court along with a kids zone!
  • Spring Art & Craft Festival at Deepwells Farm Historic Park
    Route 25A and Moriches Road, St. James, NY 11780
    631-563-8551
    Saturday, May 17th - Sunday, May 18th - 10 AM to 5 PM
    $5
    Numerous arts and crafts featuring pottery, stained glass, jewelry, clothing, leather, photography, metal, woodworking and more. Enjoy live music, children's activities, pony rides and delicious food. Visit the St.James General Store and enjoy the grounds of this Suffolk County Park.
  • 3rd Annual Levittown Street Fair FREE
    1 Bluegrass Lane, Levittown, NY 11756
    516-442-6000
    Saturday, May 17th - 10 AM to 6 PM
    Enjoy a fun-filled day with various festivities.
  • Massapequa Spring Festival at Massapequa Railroad Station FREE
    Sunrise Highway, Massapequa, NY 11758
    631-724-5966
    Saturday, May 17th - Sunday, May 18th - 11 AM to 6 PM
    Meet with local residents while shopping around for items featuring a wide array of handmade crafts and gift items, businesses and services, and food.
  • 4th Annual Bethpage Street Fair FREE
    339 Broadway, Bethpage, NY 11714
    516-442-6000
    Sunday, May 18th - 10 AM to 6 PM
    Come meet local residents and businesses with your family and friends and have a relaxing, unique and fun filled shopping experience!
  • Street Fair and Car Show at North Babylon High School FREE
    1 Phelps Lane, North Babylon, NY 11703
    631-987-7976
    Sunday, May 18th - 12 PM to 6 PM
    Come out to take a look at the various cars that will be on display. Three awards will be given out and the show will also featured a street fair with lots of fun and entertainment for everyone!
  • Long Island Mozart Festival at Old Westbury Gardens
    71 Old Westbury Gardens, Old Westbury, NY 11568
    Friday, May 23rd - Sunday, May 25th
    Opening night will be on Friday  from 6-8 PM in The Red Ballroom. The event will feature hors d'oeuvres and a wine reception at 6 PM followed by a concert featuring Philip Edward Fisher, All Mozart Recital at 7 PM. Orchestra Concert will be held Saturday and Sunday at 2 PM and 4 PM. See event listing for additional details.
  • 5th Annual Street Fair on the Green at Christopher Morley Park FREE
    500 Searingtown Road, Roslyn, NY 11576
    516-442-6000
    Saturday, May 24th - Sunday, May 25th - 10 AM to 6 PM
    Enjoy a unique family shopping destination where consumers can interact with and buy directly from the source.  All vendors offer their handmade and hand picked items at recognizable savings. Have a relaxing, unique and fun filled shopping experience!
  • Bellmore Spring Festival at the Bellmore Railroad Station FREE
    Sunrise Highway, Bellmore, NY 11710
    631-724-5966
    Saturday, May 24th - Monday, May 26th - 11 AM to 6 PM
    Meet with local residents while shopping around for items featuring a wide array of handmade crafts and gift items, businesses and services, and food.
  • Long Island Comedy Festival at The Suffolk Theater
    118 East Main Street, Riverhead, NY 11901
    631-727-4343
    Friday, May 23rd - 8 PM to 10 PM
    $25
    Get ready to hold your sides with side stitching laughs for an evening of hilarious live stand-up comedy featuring a full line-up of top comedians from around the country! This is the largest comedy festival ever presented on Long Island.
  • 36th Annual Craft Fair & Strawberry Festival
    2351 Jerusalem Avenue, North Bellmore, NY 11710
    516-442-6000
    Saturday, May 31st - Sunday, June 1st - 10 AM to 6 PM
    $2
    Strawberries,strawberries,strawberries served in a variety of ways. Enjoy a unique family shopping destination where consumers can interact with and buy directly from the source. Come enjoy a fun-filled day while children enjoy the carnival, you can have a relaxing, unique and fun filled shopping experience!
  • Rockville Center Summer Festival at the Rockville Center Lot FREE
    Sunrise Highway & Long Beach Road, Rockville Center, NY 11570
    631-724-5966
    Saturday, May 31st - Sunday, June 1st - 11 AM to 6 PM
    Meet with local residents while shopping around for items featuring a wide array of handmade crafts and gift items, businesses and services, and food.
  • Brookhaven Fair at Bald Hill Pennysaver Amphitheater
    55 South Bicycle Path, Farmingville, NY 11738
    631-920-2309
    Saturday, May 24th - Sunday, June 1st
    Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday
    5 p.m. on Fridays 12:00 noon all other days (open till midnight)
    $8
    Enjoy family fun with free attractions, thrilling rides, games, amusements and Saturday night fireworks shows.

Mother’s Day Celebrations
Show your mom how much you love and appreciate her with some of these sweet and memorable Mother’s Day celebrations.

  • Mother’s Day Boutique at the Holy Trinity Orthodox Church FREE
    369 Green Avenue, East Meadow, NY 11554
    516-483-3649
    Saturday, May 3rd - Sunday, May 4th - 11 AM to 4 PM
    Get a start on shopping for your mom this Mother's Day. Vendors will be selling fine jewelry, spring fashions, accessories, home and garden decor items, handmade soaps, candles, home fragrances, hand-sewn gift items, potted houseplants and flowers.
  • 5th Annual Miles For Mothers 5K Race at Long Beach Boardwalk
    Riverside Boulevard & Boardwalk, Long Beach, NY 11561 
    516-939-6667 ext. 104
    Saturday, May 3rd - 7:30 AM to 12 PM
    Don't miss out on the 5th Annual Miles for Mothers 5K Race on the Long Beach Boardwalk May 3rd! Enjoy a 5K Run, a walk and a kid's fun run! See event listing for additional information and registration details.
  • Baldwin Mother’s Day Festival at the Baldwin Railroad Station FREE
    Sunrise Highway & Grand Blvd., Baldwin, NY 11510
    631-724-5966
    Saturday, May 10th - Sunday, May 11th - 11 AM to 6 PM
    Meet with local residents while shopping around for the perfect gift for mom featuring a wide array of handmade crafts and gift items, businesses and services, and food.
  • Mother’s Day Brunch at the Long Island Aquarium and Exhibition Center
    431 East Main Street, Riverhead, NY 11901
    631-208-9200
    Sunday, May 11th - 10 AM to 2 PM
    Create treasured memories with a beautiful Mother’s Day Brunch. Enjoy a delicious brunch or dinner with a diverse menu sure to please every member of the family and then leave time to enjoy the Aquarium. See event listing for pricing.
  • Mother’s Day Tea at Benner's Farm
    56 Gnarled Hollow Road, East Setauket, NY 11733
    631-689-8172
    Sunday, May 11th - 12 PM to 4 PM
    Spend time with mom while enjoying some wonderful food, music and old fashioned tea!
  • Mother’s Day Barrel Tasting at Waters Crest Winery
    22355 County Road 48, Suite 6, Cutchogue, NY 11935
    631-734-5065
    Sunday, May 11th - 2 PM to 4 PM
    $20
    Bring your mom for a barrel tasting. Winemaker Jim Waters will discuss the process of winemaking and barrel aging wines as you taste directly from our barrels. Reservations required.
  • Mother’s Day Brunch and Dinner Cruises on the Skyline Princess
    1 World's Fair Marina, Flushing, NY 11368
    718- 446-1100
    Sunday, May 11th - 10:30 AM to 9 PM
    Take mom out for an evening to remember with a four hour cruise around New York City aboard the Skyline Princess. There will be a DJ for entertainment and sites of the New York Harbor and Statue of Liberty that can’t be missed. See event listing for additional information.

Memorial Day
Honor all the men and women who have served our country to provide us with freedom by taking part in one of the many Memorial Day parades in celebration of our veterans.

  • Commemoration and Fireworks at North Hempstead Beach Park
    175 West Shore Road, Port Washington, NY 11050
    516-869-6311
    Saturday, May 24th - 6 PM to 10 PM
    $5
    Pay tribute to those who died serving our country. The night will feature live concert music and the festivities will culminate with a spectacular fireworks extravaganza launched from barges in the harbor at dusk.
     
  • Bay Shore Memorial Day Parade FREE
    Lanier Lane and Main Street, Bay Shore, NY 11706
    631-665-7003
    Monday, May 26th - 10 AM
    Join the residents of Bay Shore in remembering the men and women who fought for our freedom.
  • 4th Annual Montauk Memorial Day Parade FREE
    Off Route 27, Montauk, NY 11954
    631-668-9825
    Sunday, May 25th - 12 PM to 2 PM
    Montauks Veterans and service club members march down main street starting at Noon in honor of the men and women who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces. The march will start at Kirk Park and move east through town, ending on the Village Green.

Warm Weather Fun
Don’t be a couch potato and enjoy the longer days the Spring season offers by going out for an adventure until the sun goes down.

  • Go To a Local Park
    Flowers are blooming and nature has come back to life, there’s no better way to experience the beauty of it all than at Long Island’s parks! With so many parks, there are plenty of things to do:
    • Take a hike or a walk on one of the many trails
    • Have a family picnic on the grass
    • Bird watching
  • Go To The Museum
    Take some time to visit a local museum and take a tour of some of the most interesting places on Long Island while also learning about the history.
  • Have a BBQ
    May is National BBQ Month and there’s nothing better than eating on some juicy, grilled foods as an early start to summer.


Still not sure how to make the most out of April? We’ve got you covered! Be sure to check out our Things To Do Section for fun that can be enjoyed all week long, and don’t forget to head over to our jam-packed Events Calendar for the hottest happenings of the month!


Have any exciting plans for this month? Tell us what you have planned in the comments below!

 

Copyright © 1996-2024 LongIsland.com & Long Island Media, Inc. All rights reserved.