The East Northport Chamber of Commerce's biggest fundraiser of the year is approaching, and organizers are promising an event like none before it. “We’re looking forward to this year’s festival,” said Loriann Pineo, executive director of the Chamber. “I know I say it every year but this year it’s truly going to be bigger and better than ever.”

Before every event, Loriann and festival co-chairs Lori Malley and Lisa Kreischer brainstorm new ideas to make the upcoming festival better than the last. For months, they’ve been hard at work ensuring the festival is family friendly and offers something for everyone.

This is the East Northport Festival’s 27th year; Loriann has been in charge since 2015. This year’s festival will have more rides and attractions than ever, she said – 17 in total. An ongoing highlight at the event is the festival band stage, “which over the years has become a music festival within our festival with new bands performing every 45 minutes all weekend long,” Loriann added.

A new and highly anticipated addition to the 2022 event is a food truck festival featuring Long Island‘s most popular food vendors. “The food truck festival is definitely filling a void and something the East Northport community has been looking for just based on all the online buzz we’re receiving,” said Loriann. A list of participating food trucks will be available once final vendor approval from the Town of Huntington is received.

Also new this year will be local craft beer favorite Sand City Brewery and its beer garden, directly across from the band stage inside John J. Walsh Park. locally. Oyster shuckers and cigar rollers will be nearby.

The festival will take place in John J. Walsh Memorial Park at 190 Larkfield Road in East Northport from Friday, September 9 to Sunday, September 11. A festival craft fair with over 100 vendors will make way for many shopping opportunities along Larkfield Road on Saturday and Sunday from 11am to 6pm.

Other festival highlights include:

An opportunity to meet the community’s elected officials and distinguished guests on Saturday, September 10 at 3pm.

Paw Patrol’s Marshall, Sky, Chase and Rubble will make a special appearance for a meet and greet in the Chamber tent on Sunday, September 11 at noon.

A visit from the international costuming organization 501st Legion on Sunday, September 11 from 12-2pm, featuring Darth Vader, Stormtroopers, the Mandalorian and Grogu. Get your picture taken with your favorite characters and play “Blast a trooper” with the world’s premier Star Wars costuming group. All proceeds from this appearance will be donated to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

The fourth annual donut eating contest is scheduled for Sunday, September 11. Contestants will challenge three-time reigning champion Lenny Pyros for the Super Duper Doughnut Award Winner of 2022.

There will also be raffles, games of chance and skill, college and NFL games broadcast in the beer garden, and much more. Coupons for $5 off POP (pay one price) tickets are available in participating East Northport stores.

Admission to the festival is free. Festival hours are Friday, September 9 from 6-11pm, Saturday, September 10 from 11am-11pm and Sunday, September 11 from 11am-6pm. For more information about the festival or unique sponsor opportunities, visit eastnorthport.com. To volunteer, email enptcc@aol.com with contact information and availability.