Sept. 11 weekly planner: Top 10 LI events

1. COW HARBOR WEEKEND

WHEN | WHERE Race 8:30 a.m. Saturday, with parade and street festival noon-5 p.m. Sept. 18, village of Northport

INFO 631-754-3905, villageof northport.com

It could be a scene straight out of "Doc Hollywood" -- locals lined up along Main Street, cheering as friends and neighbors parade through town. Northport's annual Cow Harbor weekend is a communitywide celebration of the scenic harbor town.

The kickoff is Saturday, with an early-morning 10k run that's grown to draw athletes from around the country to compete for cash prizes (details at cowharborrace.com).

On Sept. 18, the village celebrates with a parade that steps off at noon, a procession of local dignitaries, marching bands, school groups and costumed residents streaming through the village. Afterward, a carnival kicks up in the Harborfront park with rides, games, food and craft vendors. Main Street is closed to cars until 5 p.m. with sidewalk sales and restaurant deals -- all giving visitors a slice of small town life.

2. OMPAHFEST

Ever been to Bavaria? Celebrate German-American Day in an outdoor biergarten, where the "old country" will be paid tribute with performances from live oompah bands as wursts and potato pancakes are served al fresco.

WHEN | WHERE 11 a.m. Sept. 18. Plattduetsche Park Restaurant, 1132 Hempstead Tpke., Franklin Square

INFO 516-354-3131, parkrestaurant.com

ADMISSION $8 ($7 advance)

3. BELLMORE STREET FESTIVAL

Everybody loves a street fair, and this is one of the island's largest, with carnival rides, food vendors, live music, a military expo featuring a 25-foot submarine and a staged children's show, "I Believe in Dragons."

WHEN | WHERE 6-11 p.m. Thursday-Friday (rides only), 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday and Sept. 18, Sunrise Highway and Bedford Avenue, Bellmore. Rain dates Oct. 13-16

INFO 516-785-3216, bellmorechamber.com

ADMISSION Free ($20-$28 pay-one-price rides)

4. NORTH FORK HARVEST

It's the busiest time of the year for Long Island's many vineyards, which are celebrating the fall harvest with live music, tasting workshops and other special events. Among them: a grand tasting evening featuring samples from two dozen local wineries and small plates from the kitchens of East End restaurants.

WHEN | WHERE 4:30-7:30 p.m. Saturday, Ludlow Farm, 37 Horsemill Lane, Bridgehampton

INFO 631-477-6207, harvesteastend.com

ADMISSION $125

**For more on what's happening at the wineries this weekend, see Friday's Explore LI section.**

5. GARDEN TEA

Experience the elegant side of one of England's traditions with an afternoon high tea at the historic 1856 farmhouse Orchard Hill at Old Westbury Gardens. A tour of the grounds and cottage follows. Reservations required.

WHEN | WHERE 1-3 p.m. Thursday, 71 Old Westbury Rd., Old Westbury

INFO 516-333-0048, ext. 301, oldwestburygardens .org

ADMISSION $35

6. 'CAMELOT' OPENS

King Arthur's kingdom comes alive onstage with the opening of "Camelot" at the John W. Engeman in Northport. Based on "The Once and Future King," by T.H. White, the classic musical centers around a tragic romantic love triangle.

WHEN | WHERE Previews 8 p.m. Thursday-Friday, opens Saturday with shows at 3 and 8 p.m., 250 Main St., Northport. Continues through Nov. 6.

INFO 631-261-2900, engemantheater.com

ADMISSION $60

7. BOOK SIGNING

Huntington native Alyson Richman speaks and signs her new book, "The Lost Wife," a 60-year love affair about a doctor who still dreams of his first wife, an art student he left behind in war-torn Europe while fleeing the Nazis.

WHEN | WHERE 7 p.m. Thursday, Book Revue, 313 New York Ave., Huntington

INFO 631-271-1442, bookrevue.com

ADMISSION Free

8. OBAMA -- ON FILM

Seven independent films will be screened over three days as part of the Hamptons Black International Film Festival, which kicks of Friday in Sag Harbor. Among the highlights: "Obama's Irish Roots," a documentary that traces President Obama's journey to find his ancestry in Ireland. The screenings are followed by a Q&A session with the film's director and producer, Gabriel Murray.

WHEN | WHERE 6:30 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. next Sunday, Bay Street Theatre, Sag Harbor

INFO 347-731-6380, hbiff.org

ADMISSION $15

9. ROOKIE GAME

Hockey season doesn't officially start until next month, but Islanders fans can get a sneak peek at the team's new class of rookies when they play a preseason game against the Boston Bruins.

WHEN | WHERE 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nassau Coliseum

INFO 516-501-6700, newyork islanders.com

ADMISSION $10

10. BLONDIE

Do blondes really have more fun? Find out as Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Deborah Harry brings her "Panic of Girls" tour to Westbury, where she'll perform classic hits and a new collection of reggae and foreign language songs.

WHEN | WHERE 8 p.m. Sept. 18, NYCB Theatre at Westbury

INFO 800-745-3000, livenation.com

ADMISSION $49.50-$59.50