Two major East End festivals move to October as forecasters track a coastal storm threatening Long Island; Raul Midón at Bay Street Theater remains on for Friday night

A developing nor’easter forecast for this weekend is already reshuffling the East End’s fall calendar, with two major festivals — the Sag Harbor American Music Festival and Greenport Maritime Festival — postponing most of their programming ahead of the potential storm.

Sag Harbor American Music Festival Moves to Oct. 1-4

The Sag Harbor American Music Festival has moved its weekend programming to Oct. 1-4, organizers announced Tuesday. The exception is Raul Midón’s performance at Bay Street Theater on Friday, Sept. 25, at 8 p.m., which will go on as scheduled because it is being held indoors.

“We know how much our community looks forward to this festival every year, and postponing wasn’t an easy call,” said Kelly Dodds, president and co-artistic director. “But with a significant storm forecast for this weekend, moving to October 1-4 is the right decision for everyone’s safety.”

Organizers are working with performers to determine their availability for the rescheduled dates and said they hope to bring back many, if not all, of the artists originally scheduled to appear.

A revised Sag Harbor lineup and schedule will be released once those details are confirmed.

Greenport Maritime Festival Moves to Oct. 16-18

On the North Fork, the 36th annual Greenport Maritime Festival, originally scheduled for Sept. 25-27, has been rescheduled for Oct. 16-18 because of the developing weather forecast. The Land & Sea Gala will kick off the rescheduled weekend Friday, Oct. 16, followed by the festival Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 17-18.

The decision was made following discussions among the Greenport Business Owners Alliance, Village of Greenport, Southold Town Police Department and festival partners.

“Maritime has always been about our relationship with the water — and part of that is respecting the conditions around us,” organizers said in announcing the postponement. “Making this decision now gives our residents, businesses, vendors, sponsors, volunteers, visitors and participating organizations time to adjust while allowing us to preserve the full festival weekend.”

The extra three weeks will be used to reconfirm performers, vendors and programming and coordinate the new weekend with village and public safety officials.

The long-running waterfront festival celebrates Greenport’s maritime heritage with events including the Maritime Parade, Cardboard Boat Regatta, oyster-shucking and pie-eating contests, live music and community rowing.

One important distinction: the Bug Light Classic Regatta has not yet been postponed and remains scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 26, weather permitting, with organizers expected to make a decision closer to race time. The Regatta, Reggae & Rum celebration is also still scheduled and has been moved indoors to the Greenport American Legion.

The postponements come as forecasters track a coastal storm that could bring strong winds, heavy rain, coastal flooding and beach erosion to eastern Long Island this weekend.

New Festival Dates

Sag Harbor American Music Festival: Oct. 1-4
Raul Midón at Bay Street Theater: Friday, Sept. 25, 8 p.m. — still on as scheduled
Greenport Maritime Festival: Oct. 16-18
Land & Sea Gala: Friday, Oct. 16
Bug Light Classic Regatta: Saturday, Sept. 26 — currently still scheduled, weather permitting

Angela LaGreca

Editor, Co-Founder/Publisher

Angela LaGreca, Editor-in-chief and co-Founder/Publisher of Spark Hamptons, is a four-time Emmy Award-winning journalist, producer, writer and comedian/host. Her TV credits include NBC’s “Today,” ABC’s “The View,” and, most recently, the primetime cable news program “Cuomo” on NewsNation. On the East End, she was the Creative Director at LTV, VP Features/Events/Photo Editor at Dan’s Papers, and has performed at Guild Hall, Bay Street Theater and the WHBPAC. Her publishing career began at Modern Photography, where she was managing editor. LaGreca lives in Manhattan and East Hampton and can be reached at angelatvmedia@gmail.com and angela@sparkhamptons.com .