Business & Tech

Steve Bellone Comes to Town to Launch 'Taste North Fork' Event

Over 90 North Fork and Riverhead businesses will be showcased in the Taste North Fork event this weekend.

The countdown to Taste North Fork, a three-day tourism promotion held on Veterans Day weekend, is officially on.

One of the most highly anticipated events ever to be held on the North Fork kicked off Wednesday as Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone, members of the East End Tourism Alliance, and local officials hosted a press conference to launch the “hop-on and hop-off” tourism transportation initiative, aimed at allowing visitors to enjoy all the area has to offer during the shoulder season.

The event was held at the Mattituck Long Island Rail Road station, next to a Hampton Jitney bus, to spotlight the two forms of free transportation available to visitors.

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For a complete guide to the festivities, click here.

The event, Bellone said, could be the start of something that could revolutionize North Fork tourism forever.

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"This is an incredible place," he said. "We want people to come here and spend their money."

The key element, Bellone said, was transportation — and providing people with train and bus service, so that no cars would be needed to bring visitors from New York City and Connecticut, was a critical component.

Bryan DeLuca, president of the East End Tourism Alliance, said the three-day Veterans Day event was born of a $335,000 grant awarded by New York State — and the goal was to bring visitors during the shoulder season.

The funding was used, he said, for a full-scale, multi-media campaign, including television, radio, print and digital promotion.

The South Fork featured a similar event over Columbus Day weekend, which also offered free shuttle service; both were made possible by an Empire State development grant — the South Fork event, DeLuca said, was "very successful," with over 300 riding the Hampton Jitney.

Potentially millions of tourists could embrace the train/bus concept and bring a steady flow of new business to the North Fork, should the Veterans Day be rolled out on a steady basis in the future, he said.

This weekend, DeLuca said, visitors can enjoy two free bus loops, with 35 stops that will be color-coordinated on a special map. Visitors will also be coming over from Connecticut on the Cross Sound Ferry, he said.

"It's a coordinated effort," DeLuca added.

The program includes special tastings, events, discounts and live music at the wineries. Special weekend discount offers will also be provided by hotels, bed & breakfasts, inns, restaurants, hamlet shops and attractions, and a full slate of activities will be offered.

The free Jitney service will be divided in two loops — a Riverhead loop, for stops between Riverhead and Love Lane in Mattituck, and  a Greenport loop, for stops between Mattituck and Greenport. The shuttles will circulate every 35 to 45 minutes with passenger access from the Long Island Rail Road station in Mattituck and the Cross Sound Ferry terminal in Orient Point. 

The project is supported by a grant awarded to the East End Tourism Alliance by New York State’s Empire State Development and the I ♥ NY Division of Tourism under Governor Andrew Cuomo’s Regional Economic Development Council initiative.

Janine Nebons, general manager of Tanger Outlets in Riverhead and co-founder of the East End Tourism Alliance with DeLuca said, "Tourism is the backbone of the East End economy." By showcasing all the area has to offer with a "sneak peek" over Veterans Day weekend, the hope is that visitors will keep coming back for more.

Steven Bate, executive director of the Long Island Wine Council, said Bellone is an elected official "who really gets it," and understands the critical importance of agri-tourism.

Over the three day event, Bate said, 20 wineries and over 90 businesses will be showcased. The idea of a shuttle is one he's been dreaming of for years, Bate said. "It's a no-brainer. We have a tremendous advantage. We're on the doorstep of a large city, New York, where over 50 percent do not have cars."

Up until now, New Yorkers wanting to come to the North Fork without a car had to rely on a rental or a private tour; the train/shuttle initiative, he said, would open the doors to a whole new flood of young professionals and others to the area.

Southold Town Supervisor Scott Russell commended all involved for embarking on the significant undertaking.

"It's important for people to realize that once the pumpkin picking season is over, we're still here — and we have so much to offer."

Greenport Mayor David Nyce also attended the event.

 



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