Hear it through the grapevine: 1st North Fork music fest

The Hamptons? Not this weekend.

With the inaugural NOFO Rock and Folk Fest at the Peconic Bay Winery, the North Fork is the place to be on Saturday and Sunday.

Music, food, wine - and money spent on the East End, stays on the East End; a portion of the festival's two-day take goes to the East End Arts Council's Music School.

"In most of the productions I'm involved with, it's important that there be a public benefit," said festival promoter Josh Horton, a former Southold Town supervisor. "The East End Arts Council has committed to building a music school, and this weekend is a great opportunity to raise awareness for it."

Here are four more things that will make the NOFO Rock and Folk Fest special:

The music

On Saturday, Richie Havens (4 p.m.), Mountain and West-Bruce Jr.-Laing (5 p.m.) round out the day. Local favorite - and Horton's own band - Big Suga (3 p.m.) and many others fill out the lineup. Sunday's music includes Pat Dinizio from The Smithereens (2 p.m.), The Subdudes (4 p.m.) and Jorma Kaukonen from Jefferson Airplane and Hot Tuna (5 p.m.). Long Island will be represented with Miles to Dayton (1 p.m.) and Corey Balsamo (11 a.m.). Also check out last-minute addition The Hoof & The Heel (noon), whom you may have heard on Howard Stern's radio show (his second cousin is in the band). There will be what Horton calls an "acoustic jam tent," where attendees can hang out and share songs; hint: bring your guitar.

The food and drink

Of course, you can buy and eat the usual festival fare (bring on the funnel cakes!), but there will also be a raw bar with local oysters, clams and shrimp, as well sandwiches and organic salads from local farmers. The NOFO Farmers Market will also be selling locally grown produce and homemade jams to take home. Then there's the Peconic Bay Winery tent - with the vineyard's reds, whites, roses and dessert varieties. If you find you need a little brew to go with your rock and roll, there will also be a Blue Point Beer tent (as Horton said, "Need I say more?").

The kids

Between music sets each day, the East End Arts Council will host improvisational jam sessions. Kids and parents can play hand drums, strings and other instruments. There's also enough room to spread out and toss a beach ball or Frisbee, Horton said. Oh, yeah, and children 12 and younger get in free.

The rest

Arts and crafts vendors will be on hand, including a custom kite maker. The weekend's artists will also have music and merchandise for sale and the Rockingham Guitar Shoppe will set up shop at the winery with its custom guitars.

NOFO Rock and Folk Fest

WHEN | WHERE Gates open at 10 a.m. Saturday and Sunday, Peconic Bay Winery, 31320 Main Rd., Cutchogue

INFO 888-277-1905, noforockandfolkfest.com

ADMISSION $45 per day