Friday, October 30, 2026
The Freeport Fall Festival last weekend drew hundreds of residents and visitors from neighboring communities, who enjoyed a variety of activities on the Nautical Mile. Children and adults alike came in costume for some pre-Halloween fun and community bonding.
The day’s festivities on Oct. 25 began with a parade that kicked off at Freeport’s Sea Breeze Park. The most popular event was a “trunk-or-treat,” with residents and community organizations handing candy and other treats out to costumed families from the backs of their vehicles.
The costumed attendees ranged from cute cartoon characters to detailed character cosplayers to creepily clad monsters. Children’s characters Sonic the Hedgehog, Bluey and Marshall from “Paw Patrol” were on hand to greet the younger participants. A life-sized replica of Lightning McQueen proved to be a favorite attraction.
Elizabeth Comerford, Freeport’s superintendent of recreation, told the Herald that the annual festival serves the community well. “I think it just brings us together,” she said. “It’s a nice community event. … and it’s something positive for the Mile and Freeport as a whole.”
Temperatures were in the mid-60s, accompanied by a bright sun and clear skies, and Mayor Robert T. Kennedy echoed Comerford’s sentiments. “We have a perfect day for this event,” he said. “Hundreds of people came down to visit us, and a lot of residents. I really hope everybody had a great, safe day today.”
At the Freeport Fire Department Fire Expo, the department showcased its trucks, some painted the traditional red and others sporting flashy blues and sleek whites. Families chatted with firefighters, sat in the vehicles’ driver’s seats and posed for photos.
The third event that was part of the festival was the Chamber of Commerce’s annual Chowder Contest. Freeport restaurants showed off their best signature soups, chowders and stews, and several took home prizes. Off the Hook, on Woodcleft Avenue, also known as the Nautical Mile, was awarded first and second place for two variations on New England-style chowder.
Another Nautical Mile restaurant, Otto’s Sea Grill, won first prize in the Manhattan-style clam chowder contest. The Novi Restaurant, on Merrick Road in Baldwin, took second, and also won the prize for the most original chowder, with its chicken, broccoli and cheddar-flavored entry.
Bracco’s Clam and Oyster Bar, on the Mile, had the “chunkiest” chowder, and Hudson Avenue restaurant Pier 95 had the winning mixed seafood chowder. Jeremy’s Ale House, on the Mile, had the best Long Island chowder, and its neighbor, Hurricane Harry’s, won a prize for its mixed chowder. The final award recipient was Halfway Down the Mile, for “best in house overall chowder.”
There will be more Nautical Mile fun coming this year, at the village’s Nautical Mile of Lights Annual Boat Parade, on Dec. 11.
