LI Weekend Washout Looms: Festivals Canceled, Key Football Game on the Brink as Weather Wreaks Havoc!
Long Island events face widespread disruptions this weekend due to an approaching storm with high winds. While some major gatherings like the Greenport Maritime Festival are postponed, others, including high-stakes football games and various festivals, are either monitoring the weather or proceeding with contingency plans. Attendees are urged to check for real-time updates as the forecast dictates event statuses.
Long Island is bracing for a significant storm this weekend, with weather forecasters predicting offshore winds reaching up to 60 mph. This severe weather outlook has prompted numerous event organizers across the region to make difficult decisions regarding their scheduled gatherings, leading to a wave of cancellations, postponements, and watchful monitoring.
Several major events have already been rescheduled or canceled to ensure public safety and preserve the integrity of the festivities. The Greenport Maritime Festival, originally slated for this weekend, has been wisely postponed and will now take place from October 16 to 18. Organizers emphasized their respect for maritime conditions in their decision. Similarly, the Sag Harbor American Music Festival, an outdoor event, has shifted its dates to October 1 through 4, with a revised performance schedule to be announced on their website. The Cedar Beach Blues Festival, initially planned for Sunday at Harborfront Park, has also been postponed, now set for October 3. Unfortunately, the Big Truck Day hosted by the Bridgehampton Children's Museum of the East End, scheduled for Saturday, has been outright canceled, with no new date immediately announced.
The highly anticipated Massapequa-Garden City football showdown at Hofstra University, scheduled for Saturday at 5 p.m. at Shuart Stadium, is still on as of Thursday afternoon despite a challenging weather forecast. Nassau County scholastic sports executive director Pat Pizzarelli confirmed that contingency plans are being discussed, including the possibility of moving the game to Sunday or Monday, an option Hofstra has already agreed to. This game pits two formidable teams against each other, with Garden City boasting the longest win streak in the country at 68 games and Massapequa having won 25 consecutive games. Matt McLees, Massapequa's director of athletics, expressed hope for the game to proceed on Saturday, noting Hofstra's extensive preparations, including new goalposts and painted high school hashmarks. Pizzarelli also stated that a travel advisory from Nassau County Emergency Management would lead to the postponement of all high school sports for the day. Other high school football adjustments include the Chaminade vs. St. Francis Prep game moving to Friday at 4 p.m. at Chaminade High School, and St. John the Baptist vs. Fordham Prep shifting to Friday at 3:30 p.m. due to the host school's lack of lights. Kings Park will receive a forfeit win against Port Jefferson and will host Tuckahoe on Friday at 7 p.m. Additionally, the Suffolk County cross country coaches meet at Sunken Meadow State Park, scheduled for Saturday, has been postponed.
A number of other events are currently monitoring the evolving weather situation, with organizers poised to make last-minute decisions. The debut Long Island Potato Festival at Farmingdale State College, scheduled for Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., is declared a rain-or-shine event, though organizers are closely tracking forecasts for potential updates and encourage attendees to follow their Instagram for the latest information. The Tour of the Hamptons biking event on Sunday in Southampton is awaiting a decision by Thursday night from its organizers. The Greek Festival on the Harbor in Port Washington, featuring food, pastries, dancing, and music from Thursday through Sunday, was still scheduled to proceed as of Wednesday night. The 2026 WRS Chamber Fall Festival at the East Wind in Wading River on Sunday is also under close weather watch, with a decision yet to be announced. Positive news came for the Long Island Fair at Old Bethpage, with organizers confirming on Thursday that it will take place as planned from Friday through Sunday. Similarly, the 29th annual Italian Festival in Massapequa on Broadway is still scheduled for Sunday, with a rain date of October 4. Lastly, the Iron Man race at Jones Beach in Wantagh on Saturday was confirmed to be proceeding as scheduled by organizers on Thursday afternoon.
As the weekend approaches, attendees are strongly advised to check with individual event organizers for the most up-to-date information, as the unpredictable nature of the storm may necessitate further changes.