Honestly I wish I could tell you how great my hometown of Greenport is on Long Island. But I really want to save my patience and not have it squashed by more tourists then we already have. Honestly though, with the sunsets, the copious amounts of wine or beer and the waterfront property it's no wonder why my little hometown has become a tourist hot spot. If you grew up on the North Fork for the past eighteen years like I did, you understand that everyone knows everything about you and/or are somehow related to you. This is why our community rallies behind every high school sporting event, chorus concert or town hall meeting. It's natural to love where you're from but it's the newer generations that come back and bring Greenport more in to the spotlight.

1) Strawberry Festival

It's the peak of the strawberry harvesting season but all you know is that your face full with strawberry shortcake, chocolate strawberries and an assorted arrangement of frothy strawberry themed drinks. An assortment of carnival rides line the Mattituck soccer fields as people from all over the North Fork of Long Island gather to enjoy themselves. Father's Day Weekend can not come fast enough.

2) Maritime Festival

On either side of Front Street in the heart of Greenport village you just see lined with tents and vendors displaying their jewelry, food and merchandise. Walking through it all, the odor of Greenport Harbor brewed beer lingers with the tang of hot dogs and freshly roasted turkey legs. Can I just say how much I want a turkey leg right now??

3) Tall-Ships Coming to Mitchell Park

One of the most beautiful sights that brings tourists from every area known to man just about. Town is so packed that a simple parking spot can turn into a Locals vs Tourists debate.

4) The Start of Tourist Season

...and the start of my road rage.

Probably what every local hates but secretly dreads. We love the economic prosperity but the constant traffic, horrible tourist park jobs and the need for everyone to bombard the only grocery store in town gets old fast.

Can't they just mail us money?

5) Hurricane season approaches...

As you see every local run to the local IGA starting June 1st to stock up on emergency supplies.

*cue the dramatic music*

6) Under the lights 7pm high school football games.

We may lose but we lose in a way that is sometimes unheard of in other high schools.

#BleedPorterPurple

7) July 4th Weekend consisting of boating and bonfires.

The real Long Island legacy has and always will be boating and having bonfires on the beach during the 4th of July. Drinking under-age and the smell of illegal fire crackers just takes me back.

8) Monday night dancing in Mitchell Park.

Whether you're a country, reggae or hip-hop fan you can find all kinds of music in Mitchell Park Monday Nights.

9) Boating season begins...

The time of the year where every city person turns into an "amazing" boater. Hey, whatever saves car parking spots is okay in my book except I'm pretty sure the Coast Guard doesn't appreciate it.

10) Being stuck behind a tractor while going to work.

Sometimes they're nice and pull over to the shoulder to let you pass them while other times they take up the majority of the lane with little hope you'll be in work on time.

11) Late night Magic Fountain runs...

While avoiding Southold Town police to get some sweet cream on a cone you find yourself speeding and driving like a maniac.

12) Sunsets...sunsets...and more sunsets.

The gif just honestly sums it up:

13) The Hampton Jitney...also seen on a wild episode of the famous, Gossip Girl.

Tourists from New York City hop on and off at the "convenient" bus stop near the busy ferry.

You know you love it, xoxo the Hampton Jitney

14) Oh the Vineyards...

One of the main reasons people are brought to Greenport is by limos who enjoy vineyard hopping to as many as physically possible. Whether it be Kontokosta, Sparkling Pointe, or even the more notorious Martha Clara that ranges all across the North Fork.

15) The Farm-Stands

Whether you're planning a fresh-tasting dinner or you want to play tourist for the day, the North Fork is a hub for farm-stands. Wesnofske's , Latham's, or Sep's, you can never go a mile without seeing at least one on the side of the road.

16) Beaches!

I'll meet you at 67 steps or walk through the woods to Dam Pond. Beaches are everywhere and can be the highlight of any summer day.

No matter what anyone may say, Greenport is one of the best towns on Earth.