1. Celebrate America’s 250th Southampton Village’s annual Fourth of July parade, set to take place the morning of Saturday, July 4, is among the largest on Long Island. A tradition over a century old, the parade will start at 10 a.m. It kicks off from Railroad Plaza, continues down Main Street, moves to Jobs Lane and ends at Agawam Park.
2. Red, White and Groove In the Groove, Long Island’s premier band for dance hits from the 70s, 80s, 90s and today, performs a special July 4 show “Living in America!” at Tiki Joe’s on Meschutt Beach (90 Bishop Place, Hampton Bays, 631-333-1538) starting at 6:30 p.m.
3. Fireworks on the beach on Shelter Island Sparks will fly on Shelter Island July 11 at 9 p.m., when beachgoers are in for a booming treat at this annual week-after-the-Fourth spectacular sand-side display on Crescent Beach (35 Shore Road, Shelter Island). For more information, visit shelterislandfireworks.com.
4. Wild Night for Wildlife The 18th annual benefit for the Quogue Wildlife Refuge (3 Old Country Road, 631-653-4771) is on Saturday, July 11, beginning at 7 p.m. on the Refuge’s grounds. This year, the theme celebrates Dark Skies, honoring the beauty and importance of reducing light pollution for the natural world. Expect hors d’oeuvres, cocktails, craft beer, local wines, live music, and live and silent auctions. If you can’t make it to the event but would still like to donate, visit quoguewildliferefuge.org.
5. Fish for charity The Montauk Grand Slam, a one-of-a-kind in-shore charity fishing tournament, is on Saturday, July 18, and Sunday, July 19. Challenging participants to catch the heaviest fluke, sea bass, porgy and bluefish, the event (held at Uihlein’s Marina, 444 West S. Lake Drive, 631-668-3799) raises money for local charities, including the Montauk Friends of Erin and the Kiwanis Club of East Hampton. Visit mtkgrandslam.org.
6. See an annual summer festival “Limitless Time” is Friday, July 24, and Saturday, July 25, at the Watermill Center (39 Water Mill Towd Road, Water Mill, 631-726-4628). Featuring a dynamic curated series of work ranging from installations to performances from artists around the world, the show simultaneously celebrates the art and experimentation in support of the organization’s year-round programming, covering artist residency as well as educational and public programs. Email [email protected] for more information.
7. Hear about the health of local waters “From Plankton to Whales: Why our local waters are worth protecting” is at the Sag Harbor Whaling Museum (200 Main St., 631-725-0770) on Saturday, July 25, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Led by Chris Paparo, aka “the Fish Guy,” the lecture aims to inspire its audience to rediscover their passion for exploring, and protecting, the local marine life that surrounds us.
8. Puppy yoga comes to the Square Wags & Walks invites all for a playful and heartwarming 45-minute round of guided yoga surrounded by adoptable puppies on Saturday, July 11. Set from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. at Amagansett Square on Main Street, all skill levels are welcome as the organization’s rescue pups will be on hand for moral support! Visit wagsandwalks.org for ticket info.
9. Catch the Clothesline Art Sale An 80-year-old tradition returns to Guild Hall (158 Main St., East Hampton, 631-324-0806) on Saturday, July 25, with the annual Clothesline Art Sale from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. A beloved (and affordable) Hamptons art event held in the galleries and front grounds of the locale, the sale provides accessible artwork to the community, with pieces ranging from $75 to $3,500, and proceeds split 50/50 between each artist and Guild Hall.
10. Get your Bard fix at the Manor Head to Sylvester Manor (80 N. Ferry Road, Shelter Island, 631-749-0626) the weekend of July 25 and 26 for two nights of Shakespeare with their creekside, alfresco performance of “Twelfth Night.” Bring a lawn chair, a picnic and your capacity for mirth for this tender comedy directed by Allen O’Reilly. Performances run from 6 to 8 p.m.; gates open at 5:30 p.m. Tickets are $40; children under 10 are free. Grab your spot at sylvestermanor.org.
