Where to have fun over the Labor Day weekend
Parents look on while children ride the big Carousel at the annual Mother Cabrini Festival at Suffolk Community College Brentwood campus on Aug. 23, 2014. Credit: Daniel Brennan
It’s the end of the summer but there’s still time for more fun. Here are some outdoor activities to sneak in before Labor Day weekend is over.
GO TO AN ITALIAN FEAST
Celebrate Italian style at The Feast of Mother Cabrini at Suffolk County Community College in Brentwood Friday through Monday. Saturday, move along with the Baila! Baila! dance troupe while Raffi Caballero croons Italian love songs. Those who feel brave (and hungry) can compete in the zeppole eating contest at 9 p.m. Saturday
INFO 631-499-6824, mothercabrinifeast.org
CATCH A GAME AND FIREWORKS
Head to Bethpage Ballpark in Central Islip for an evening of America’s favorite pastime. Watch as the Long Island Ducks take on the New Britain Bees Saturday at 6:35 p.m., then stay for a postgame fireworks show.
INFO $13 to $15, 631-940-3825, liducks.com
SEE AN OUTDOOR CONCERT
It’s the last weekend to take free shows at the Jones Beach bandshell along the boardwalk. Close out the season on Friday with Grateful Dead tribute band Half Step, along with Rich Johnson and the Fishing Line Band. Then Saturday, turn back the clock to the ’90s with tributes to Stone Temple Pilots, Incubus and Red Hot Chili Peppers. Both shows start at 8 p.m.
Other local free outdoor concerts include Just Sixties at Strong’s Water Club & Marina in Mattituck 4 to 8 p.m. Saturday; Glenn Baldwin and Friends of Jazz at Northport Harbor Park at 7 p.m. Friday. The Carpenters tribute band Karpenteers at 8 p.m. Friday at the Bellport Bandshell while Saturday brings the acoustic folk of He-Bird, She-Bird.
INFO 516-785-1600, jonesbeachbandshell.com; 631-298-4739, strongsmarine.com; 631-261-6917, villageofnorthport.com; 631-286-0327, bellport.com
WATCH AN OUTDOOR MOVIE
Get swept away by the animated ocean adventure of Disney’s “Moana” outdoors on the big screen, compliments of the Long Beach civic associations, at 7:15 p.m. Saturday at Edwards Blvd. Beach in Long Beach as part of its “Saturday Night at the Movies on the Beach” program. Bring blankets, chairs and a picnic to enhance the experience.
INFO 516-431-1000, longbeachny.gov
TAKE IN A CAR SHOW
Have a classic car judged or just peruse the automotive fleet at the New York Autofest Car Show in the parking lot of the NYCB Theatre at Westbury 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Drivers of the first 75 show vehicles get a free lunch. The car show will be judged in 40 different classes, with special guest Joe Causi of WCBS-FM.
INFO $5 (free younger than 12), $20 show car, 516-882-5022, nyautofest.com
HIT A WATER PARK
Splish Splash in Calverton shuts the water off for the season after Labor Day. Take one last plunge on Bootleggers Run for a raft rollercoaster-like ride or dive into Pirates Cove where kids can climb aboard an interactive pirate ship.
INFO $42.99 ($32.99 under 48 inches tall), $15 parking; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday-Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, 631-727-3600, splishsplash.com
SING AT A KARAOKE BEACH PARTY
Enter a karaoke contest at Edwards Boulevard Beach in Long Beach at 7 p.m. Friday. To sing, preregister ($15 per singer) online; participants must be 16 and over. Judges will score on talent, originality and showmanship. The top three winners get prizes.
INFO 516-431-1000,longbeachny.gov/rec
David J. Criblez is a reporter for Newsday's exploreLI, covering entertainment-related events from local music to stand-up comedy to festivals.
