After the East End Seaport Museum in Greenport announced plans to cancel its annual Maritime Festival for 2026, a group of village business owners plans to throw the 35-year-old tradition a life preserver.

The weekend-long festival is a September staple that draws up to 30,000 people to Greenport in celebration of the village’s nautical roots. The museum, which organizes the festival, said it plans to refocus on its mission to modernize exhibits, preserve Bug Lighthouse and expand education and conservation programs.

In a message posted to the museum's website Thursday, board of trustees chair Sarah Mills Sands said the board came to the decision after “valuable input” from businesses and residents.

“Looking ahead, our vision extends beyond a single weekend of celebration,” Sands wrot

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