With the Village of Brightwaters and Village Business Association hosting the first Spring Thing Block Party on Sunday, and the 16th annual Sounds of Silence Run/Walk being held at Walker Beach on Saturday, this weekend is sure to be a lively one in Brightwaters.

The Spring Thing Block Party will be held on Sunday, May 19 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the four corners. The village usually holds a block party in October, but per request of local businesses, a block party will be held during the spring for the first time.

“It is really a nice, relaxing day,” explained mayor John Valdini. “Everyone gets to see their neighbors, we have a very large turnout, and it is open to everybody.”

The block party will be fun for the whole family, as vendors are required to provide a free activity or service for kids, such as games, raffles, face painting, and a magician. The Brightwaters Art Council will have a fun art activity and drawing station.

Live music performances will be held in front of Henley’s Village Tavern, Sea Levels Restaurant, and the Brightwaters Inn. Ava and Finn will be performing at The Brightwaters Inn, Dirty Vice Band will be performing at Henley’s Village Tavern, and a DJ will be playing music and keeping spirits high in between performances.

The restaurants at the four corners will have food in booths outside, providing attendees with a variety of options, including an ice cream truck.

“We do not allow outside food vendors. This is a village event. What our restaurants do—pizza, Chinese food, the deli—what we have is more than enough food for everybody,” shared Valdini. “The event really promotes our downtown and allows our restaurants to shine. Everyone is in one area, enjoying what our downtown has to offer, which is what makes it so nice.”

The rain or shine 16th annual Sounds of Silence 5K Run/Walk and 10K Run will be held at Walker Beach on Saturday, May 18. Sounds of Silence is a fundraising committee of the Postpartum Resource Center of New York, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, and all proceeds from the race will benefit the organization.

The resource center increases awareness and access to care for New York State moms, dads, and families at risk of or experiencing a perinatal mood and anxiety disorder (PMAD), including postpartum depression. The resource center increases education, screening, and treatment, provides support programs and services, and trains health care providers.

Sounds of Silence was created by sisters Lisa Mary Reilly and Erin Mascaro after Lisa experienced postpartum depression. Witnessing and experiencing the stigma surrounding mental illness firsthand, and the silent suffering that comes with it, the duo decided to make a difference.

The duo organized the annual Sounds of Silence 5K/10K Run/Walk together, until Reilly tragically succumbed to depression in 2014.

“This loss was heartbreaking, but we were determined to go on,” stated Mascaro in a statement on the race sign-up webpage. “Lisa Mary was my role model, my inspiration, and to honor her memory, I vowed to continue breaking the silence and celebrate her each and every day.”

To participate in breaking the silence, participate in the lively Run/Walk. Registration options include a 5K Run/Walk for $40, while ages 11 and under are $15. The 10K run has a registration fee of $50 and is for ages 12-plus only.

Raffles, a $10,000 50/50, SOS merchandise, kids crafts, and more will be at Walker Beach on race day. Village residents are invited to bike to the event to help alleviate parking congestion. There will be rolling road closures on Montauk Highway.

To sign up for the race, visit https://events.elitefeats.com/24sos.