North Fork weekend trip: Harbes Farms in Jamesport throws a two-day Sunflower Festival
The North Fork farm holds its Sunflower Festival on Sept. 19 and 20, with apple picking, hayrides, a pumpkin patch and free live music.
Harbes Farms in Jamesport has just two days of sunflowers on the calendar. Its Sunflower Festival on Long Island’s North Fork takes place Saturday, Sept. 19, and Sunday, Sept. 20. Each day, gates open at 9 a.m., and the grounds close at 6 p.m.
With roughly 100 miles between the farm and Midtown, a quick round trip doesn’t make much sense, so set aside the whole day. The timing also catches a brief stretch of the year when the sunflowers are still in bloom and early fall has already arrived on the farm.
What the Harbes Sunflower Festival includes
Most of the farm is covered by one admission. Ticket prices listed by the farm run from $25 to $35, depending on the package. Begin among the tall yellow flowers, where a maze cuts a path through the field. The Robin Hood Corn Maze comes next. Between mazes, there are hayrides and jump pads, and you can fill a bag with Honeycrisp apples. Pumpkin hunters get a nine-acre patch where the fruit is still growing on the vine.
The courtyard hosts free live music between 1 and 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday alike. The festival also has food vendors and wine tasting, so a glass of North Fork wine can go with the concert.
More to do in Jamesport and the North Fork
The hamlet is small, yet it belongs to a federally recognized American Viticultural Area that is home to more than 40 active wineries. For a proper tasting, drive a few minutes along Main Road to Jamesport Vineyards. Founded in 1986, it ranks among the oldest vineyards on the North Fork. Lunch there comes out of a wood-fired kitchen: Little Oak Wood Fired Kitchen operates on the vineyard grounds. Planning a weekend visit? Book a table ahead of time.
Before heading back to the city, South Jamesport Beach offers calm views across Peconic Bay. Another option is Main & Mill, a newer tasting room in Jamesport that pours local wine in a space styled after 1920s New York and old Hollywood glamour.
Quick answers
When is the Harbes Farms Sunflower Festival?
The festival takes place only on Saturday, Sept. 19, and Sunday, Sept. 20, at Harbes Farms in Jamesport. Gates open at 9 a.m. and close at 6 p.m. each day.
What does festival admission include?
Visitors get the sunflower fields and their maze, the Robin Hood Corn Maze, jump pads, hayrides, Honeycrisp apple picking and a nine-acre patch of pumpkins still on the vine. The farm lists admission from $25 to $35.
Is there live music at the festival?
Yes. Free concerts play between 1 and 5 p.m. on both days, and food vendors and wine tasting are also available.
