May 29 weekly planner: 10 top LI events
1. Adelante Puerto Rican/Hispanic Day Parade
Brentwood comes alive next weekend with a colorful celebration of Hispanic heritage down Fifth Avenue. The parade, marking its 45th anniversary, features Latin American dance troupes, marching bands and floats streaming by with a backdrop of salsa and merengue music. More than 75,000 spectators are expected, with parade groups representing Ecuador, ElSalvador, Peru and Colombia, among other countires.
"One thing people want to see is the salsa and merengue performed," says Maria Carvajal, who works at Adelante of Suffolk County. They are two of Puerto Rico's most recognizable dances, she adds.
2. Jackie Mason
The stand-up comedy icon gives his assessments of politics and modern life, which will have you laughing in your seats at the theater in the round.
WHEN|WHERE 7 p.m. Saturday, NYCB Theatre at Westbury
INFO 800-745-3000, livenation.com
ADMISSION $29.50-$59.50
3. Fishing competition
Feeling lucky? Captree State Park hosts its annual "Spring Rodeo" fishing tournament from noon Friday to 4 p.m. Sunday, with cash and equipment prizes given to those who reel in the best fluke and striped bass. Fish must be caught between the east shore of Moriches Inlet and west shore of Jones Beach Inlet from the shore/piers or aboard a private/charter/party boat. In-person registration begins 9 a.m. Friday at the park.
WHEN|WHERE Noon Friday-4 p.m. Sunday, Captree State Park, 3500 Ocean Pkwy., West Islip
INFO 631-321-3510, nysparks.com
ADMISSION $15
4. Twilight walk
You've seen them -- the gorgeous 18th century wrought iron Carshalton Gates that welcome visitors to Planting Fields Arboretum. On Wednesday, take a 1-mile twilight walk to mark their 300th birthday, which will include an overview of the gates' history and a champagne toast.
WHEN|WHERE 5:30 p.m. Wednesday (rain date Thursday) at Coe Hall, Planting Fields Arboretum State Historic Park, Oyster Bay
INFO 516-922-8682, plantingfields.org
ADMISSION $10
5. Watch a polo match
The equestrian sport has been played on the fields in Bethpage State Park since the 1930s. The tradition continues when two teams compete for the Long Island Invitational Cup. Bring a picnic.
WHEN|WHERE 3 p.m. Sunday, June 5, Bethpage State Park polo fields in the picnic area, Farmingdale
INFO 516-249-0700, option 6, poloatthepark.com
ADMISSION $8 parking
6. Gold Coast Int'l Film Festival
The inaugural festival will bring 43 feature films and 20 shorts to select Clearview Cinemas along Nassau's North Shore Wednesday-Sunday. Special events include filmmaker panels and outdoor movie screenings, such as the Nassau County Museum of Art's outdoor screening of "Funny Face" Saturday at 8:30 p.m. on the grounds in Roslyn Harbor ($20 parking).
WHEN|WHERE June 1-5 at various Nassau County movie theaters and performance venues.
Outdoor film "Funny Face" at sundown on Saturday, 1 Museum Dr. off Northern Boulevard, Roslyn Harbor
INFO 516-444-3456, goldcoastfilmfestival.org
ADMISSION $15 per film; $15-$50 special events
7. Nassau County Strawberry Festival
It comes but once a year. The Lions and Kiwanis clubs of the Bellmores host a five-day ode to all things strawberry. Beyond the carnival rides and games, there will be tons of shortcake, chocolate-dipped berries, cupcakes and more on the grounds of Nassau BOCES.
WHEN|WHERE 6-10 p.m. Wednesday-Friday, noon-11 p.m. Saturday, noon-9 p.m. June 5, Nassau BOCES, 2351 Jerusalem Ave., North Bellmore
INFO 516-679-1875, nassaucountystrawberryfestival.com
ADMISSION $2
8. Teresa Giudice
Meet Bravo TV's "Real Housewives of New Jersey" star Teresa Giudice when she stops by Book Revue in Huntington to give a taste of her new book, "Fabulicious! Teresa's Italian Family Cookbook."
WHEN|WHERE 7 p.m. Thursday, Book Revue, 313 New York Ave., Huntington
INFO 631-271-1442, bookrevue.com
ADMISSION Free
9. "Tru" opens
"Saturday Night Live" star Darrell Hammond plays eccentric author Truman Capote in Bay Street Theatre's production of "Tru." Performances begin Tuesday under the direction of Tony Award winner Judith Ivey.
WHEN|WHERE Previews 8 p.m. Tuesday through next Friday, official opening June 4. Through June 26 at Bay Street Theatre, Sag Harbor
INFO 631-725-9500, baystreet.org
ADMISSION $55-$65
10. Watch a Memorial Day Parade
The City of Long Beach pays tribute to veterans at its annual parade in a big way -- with all Vietnam-era veterans honored as grand marshals in the procession. The Long Beach Police Department Motorcycle Brigade will lead the parade.
WHEN|WHERE 9:30 a.m. Monday, Beach Street ending at Kennedy Plaza, Long Beach. Rain or shine.
INFO 516-889-7516, longbeachny.org
ADMISSION Free
