Every year, Mill Neck Family’s Fall Harvest Festival draws tens of thousands of returning visitors and many more new friends. The Festival annually brings the best of the autumn season to Long Island, making a trip to the beautiful Mill Neck campus over Columbus Day weekend irresistible. This year’s Festival, held on October 10 and 11 from 9 am to 5 pm, promises to be better than ever, with the return of ripe apples, handmade country crafts, seasonable produce, grilled bratwurst, children’s activities and much more.

Located on the grounds of a historic Gold Coast estate, between Oyster Bay and Bayville, the Festival, also known as the Apple Fest, has it all. Visitors enjoy a wide variety of apples and opportunities to learn about the Deaf, the Mill Neck Family of Organizations and its services.

In addition, visitors will find a wide variety of cheeses in the Cheese House, and plenty of mouth-watering baked goods, jellies, fudge and strudels. The Country Store also features a full-line of famous Karl Ehmer wurst and bacon products. The Fall Harvest Festival’s “Gourmet Shop” offers even more fine snacks and sparkling apple cider.

In the children’s activities area, Gooseberry Grove will have a fantastic array of games, including an inflatable slide. Facepainting by Agostino Arts will also be back this year on Saturday from 11 am to 4 pm and Sunday from 12 to 4 pm.

The Festival also showcases the latest in Deaf technology, sign language novelty items and books. Each year, Mill Neck Manor alumni attend the Fall Harvest Festival as a “homecoming,” and the event brings the heart of the Long Island Deaf Community together.

Other activities include a hearing van featuring free hearing screenings from 9 am to 4 pm on Saturday and Sunday, and our successful 50/50 raffle. Be sure to take a chance…tickets are only $10 each, and the winner, picked on Sunday, October 11 at 3 pm, receives half of all money collected. Last year’s winner won over $10,000!

Proceeds from the Festival go towards supporting the Mill Neck Family of Organizations, which includes Mill Neck Manor School for the Deaf, the Mill Neck Manor Early Childhood Center and Mill Neck Services for Deaf Adults. Please join the Mill Neck family for our very special Annual Fall Harvest Festival. As you enjoy the sights, sounds and smells of fall’s finest on Long Island, we know that you will want to make the Festival a family tradition.

The Festival owes its success to the support of volunteers, and the help of civic groups, students, alumni and parents. In addition, local businesses contribute to the Festival by presenting donations, providing services or contributing products. For sponsorship opportunities or for more information about the Festival, please call (516) 628-4243.