Country, Family Fun Event Returns To East Moriches

Fun takes many forms at Bay Gardens’ fifth annual family country festival coming up on Sunday, Sept. 20, in East Moriches.

The owners of Bay Gardens, which traces its roots to a three-generation landscaping business, designed this as a “great family day,” according to co-owner John Cannarelli.

Known to draw a few hundred visitors, the country fest has grown since inception into a myriad of activities from pony rides to an interactive corn maze. Many ideas for expansion have come from his children and those of his brother, Justin, who also owns Bay Gardens.

This year’s event takes place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in East Moriches at 80 Montauk Highway. It features artisan and food vendors as well as a beer garden hosted by Take Two Brewery in Bay Shore. Tunes will be provided throughout the day by the radio station 96.1 My Country, which will broadcast live on site and offer giveaways, he said.

“Overall, it’s a wonderful family event obviously geared for younger children but there’s something for everyone. And one of the highlights is you can kind of beat the North Fork traffic by coming to us because we’re not up there on that main strip which can get a little hectic in the fall,” said Cannarelli.

The country festival also features a petting zoo, face painting, a pumpkin patch for picking, mini golf, hayrides and “plenty of photo opportunities set up for families” free of charge,” Cannarelli said.

While adult admission is free, advance tickets are $10 for children and $15 at the door. “Included in the admission is one pony ride and a mining bag for the children which is a bag with gems and sand in it,” Cannarelli said.