Much To Do in Port This Memorial Day Weekend

The long weekend is so close you can feel it. But what can you do if you're planning to stay home in Port Washington?

"I'm going to my friend's barbecue and there are the fireworks," said Port Washington resident Sloan Mergler. "I don't really know what else is going on in Port this weekend."

Well, read on, and perhaps you will find some more ideas of things to keep you entertained this weekend.

For starters, there are the North Hempstead Beach Park (Bar Beach) fireworks on Saturday night that begin after sunset. Before the fireworks, starting at 6 p.m., there will also be two tribute bands to the Eagles and Bruce Springsteen, Desert Highway and Tramps Like Us, respectively.

Admission to the fireworks is free and parking is $5 per car — a great deal for the family. You might want to consider coming as early as possible though as this event will probably be quite busy and crowded, especially with the Jones Beach Fireworks canceled this year due to the $26 million budget cut facing the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historical Preservation.

Then on Sunday, there will be the monthly Antique and Collectibles Street Fair on Main Street from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. — always something nice to peruse when the weather is nice.

Since Memorial Day is the unofficial start of summer, then why not catch some sun at Bar Beach or Manorhaven Beach Park. This weekend is also the perfect time to be at the docks, on a boat or strolling along the water, perhaps grabbing a drink at Louie's (and they also have a great new cocktail list that is spring-inspired) or Sullivan's Quay.

But if it does happen to rain this weekend, not to worry as there are other options in town. With Sex and the City 2 having just premiered this week, many women will make this a weekend of cosmos, and it's playing right here at the Soundview Movie Theater. For those of you who aren't into "chick flicks," there's always Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time, which also premieres this weekend and will be showing at the Clearview Cinemas on Main Street.

The weekend's grand finale will be this year's Memorial Day Parade, which will take place on Monday. The parade will step off from Campus Drive at 10 a.m. and will then proceed down Main Street, with a memorial ceremony immediately afterward at the Sousa Bandshell in Sunset Park.

And, of course, the classic barbecues of Memorial Day weekend. There will surely be many going on around Port Washington in the next few days. But what can you bring to these barbecues? Perhaps a cool, refreshing Riesling from Black Tie Wine & Spirits or a fruit platter from Stop & Shop? A homemade treat of some kind?

No matter what you bring to your barbecue(s) or what you choose to do this weekend, remember to honor those who died protecting our country in military service, but also have fun and enjoy the time off for Memorial Day.