Waterfront festival makes Southold debut

Pete Linskey, 56, of Newtown, Pa.,  grew up boating and fishing with his family in Oyster Bay.

His wife Denise Linskey, 54, grew up fishing on the Long Island Sound with her family.

The fond memories stayed them into their adulthood and they still share the love for the water. That’s why they decided to visit the Spring Open House and Waterfront Festival at Port of Egypt Marine Sunday in Southold.

Port of Egypt has been having spring open houses since 1981 to showcase their boats for sale, but this was the festival’s inaugural year. Activities including a cooking demonstration, paddleboard fitness class, kiteboarding safety class, a treasure hunt for children, live acoustic guitar music and a local artist exhibit for the hundreds in attendance.

Port of Egypt Marine owner Bill Lieblein couldn’t be happier about sharing his tranquil surroundings with others.

“It’s a beautiful place,” Lieblein said. “It’s always great to take your boat out in the water and have a wonderful time,” he said.

Bill Kitzerow of Southold sampled the lobster quesadillas at the cooking demonstration and enjoyed the savory taste.

“It’s delicious. Charlie Manwaring makes the best food. He is a great chef,” Kitzerow said of Manwaring, owner of Southold Fish Market.

Those who were done eating could then watch certified personal trainer Chris Czartosieksi of Southold discuss and demonstrate the benefits of paddleboarding.

“It’s a great workout,” Czartosieski said. “You can burn a lot of calories. It’s much more fun to exercise in the water than a gym.”

Above: Chris Czartosieski, of Southold, teaches paddle board fitness at the Port of of Egypt Marine Spring Open House and Waterfront Festival in Southold. (April 1, 2012)