Memorial Weekend Festivities & Recipes

There are many things to do for Memorial Day, on our beautiful Long Island.  Why limit your celebration to one activity or Day?  Get out and embrace the warm weather we have finally been waiting for!  Celebrate all weekend long.  You can pack your Memorial Day weekend with festivals, parades, BBQ’s, picnics and more.  Pack a light picnic to bring on the road with you or if you’re planning on a BBQ at your house, there are a few easy recipes to complete your party. 

Friday, May 22rd thru Sunday May 24th
The Montauk Art Show
Fri. 12pm-6pm, Sat. & Sun. 10am-6pm
Free Admission
Montauk Railroad Station, Junction of Edgemere and Flamingo Roads, Montauk Village Green
The Montauk Artists’ Association will be presenting this Memorial Day weekend an art show with a large array of art designers.  Ranging from fine art ceramics, jewelry, outdoor garden and table top sculptures, photographs, printings and more, this is an event you do not want to miss.   

Sunday, May 24th  
Taste the East End at Long Island Aquarium and Exhibition Center
7-10:30pm
431 East Main Street, Riverhead   
631-208-9200 ext. 426
$64.95/per person 
(Ticket includes all food and craft beverage tasting) What a great way to kick off the summer with a memorable tasting event out east.  Be sure to become a part of this great event that will be filled with pairings of signature dishes prepared by local restaurants with local craft beer, wine and cider also!  There will be live music, over 40 vendors and plenty more entertainment.  Must be 21 and over to participate, call to reserve 631.208.9200. 

Saturday, May 23rd 
Commemoration & Fireworks at North Hempstead Beach Park
6-10pm
175 West Shore Rd., Port Washington  516-869-6311
$10 Parking Fee
The night will feature live music and festivities that will end with a spectacular firework show that will be launched from the harbor.  

Saturday, May 23rd & Sunday, May 24th
Bethpage Air Show at Jones Beach
12-5pm
1000 Ocean Parkway, Wantagh­ 516-785-1600
$10 Parking Fee
The Bethpage Air Show at Jones Beach will be making a splash yet again with stellar air performances. The U.S. Airforce Thunderbirds will be headlining this year’s show and will be the final act. The show will also include veteran air show performers and new this year, a performance by the Brietling Jet Team, the world’s largest professional civilian flight team performing on jets. This will be an unforgettable show you wil not want to miss. Be sure to get there early and pack a cooler and beach gear.

Sunday, May 24th 
5th Annual Montauk Memorial Day Parade
12pm-2pm
Off Route 27, Montauk
The town of Montauk and its patrons are coming together to bring the 4th annual Memorial Day parade.  The march will begin at Kirk Park and will move east through town, ending on the Village Green paying tribute to troops in the US Armed Forces.  After, pack a picnic and spend the rest of the day outdoors at the local state park.

Black Bean Salsa:
~ 1 Can Black Beans
~ 1 Can Corn
~ 1 Avocado chopped
~ 1 Tomato chopped 
~ ¼ Red Onion chopped
~ ¼ Cup Red wine vinegar
~ 2 Tbsp. Olive Oil
~ Salt & Pepper
~ Clove Crushed Garlic

Mix all ingredients except avocado together and chill. When ready to serve, add avocado and mix gently.  

Red, White & Blue Sangria:
~ 1 Bottle of White sweet wine
~ 1/3 container of Apple Cherry fruit juice concentrate 
~ 3 oz. Blueberries rinsed
~ 3 oz. Raspberries rinsed
~ ½ pint strawberries de-stemmed & quartered

In a Large pitcher, pour wine and fruit concentrate and stir.  Before adding fruit to pitcher combine in a bowl and mix so fruit juices are formed.  Pour bowl of fruit with juices into wine mixture and stir.  Serve Chilled.

Dessert: Berry Delight
1st Layer – 
½ cup graham cracker crumbs
¼ cup sugar 
5 1/3 tsp. butter 
~Melt Butter, add crackers and sugar.  Press into bottom of a Springform pan or glass bowl.    

2nd Layer –
8oz. Cream Cheese
¼ cup sugar
2 tsp. milk (whole or 2%) 
1 ½cup Cool Whip
~Mix cream cheese, sugar and milk until creamy and smooth.  Fold in Cool Whip until creamy. Add a layer of graham crackers.

3rd Layer –
2 cups Strawberries cut into half or quartered.
(you can also 
incorporate raspberries and blueberries).  
Add to 2nd layer

4th Layer –
2- 4oz. Boxes Vanilla Pudding (No Instant!)
3 1/4 cup Milk
Cook pudding until boil and add on top of 3rd layer.  Place in fridge overnight. When ready to serve cover with rest of Cool Whip and Fruit. 

Buffalo Chicken Mini Bites:

~ 8 oz. Cream Cheese softened
~ 1 oz. package of ranch dressing mix
~ ½ C. Dairy Sour Cream
~ ½ C. Cooked Chicken Breast, finely diced
~ 1/3 C. Celery, finely diced
~ ¾ C. Shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese, divided
~ 30 mini Fillo Shells (about 2 packages)
~ 1/3 C. Buffalo Wing Sauce
~ Spring Onion Sliced

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
In a medium bowl, combine cream cheese, dressing mix, chicken, celery and ½ cup cheese.  Spoon mixture into Fillo shells.  Top each with wing sauce and sprinkle with ¼ Cup of remaining cheese. Bake at 350 degrees for 5 minutes. Remove from oven and sprinkle with sliced spring onion.  Serve immediately.