Unlike other communities, space is tight in Fair Harbor. The distance between the bay and the Atlantic Ocean is extremely short. The charming boardwalks are narrow and precarious. The shingled cottages are so close to one another they seem to be almost kissing.

This creates a closeness and familiarity among Fair Harbor’s residents and contributes to the joyous Fellini like atmosphere of the community. At times, it is as if everyone is participating. During the day, hoards of pre-teens on bicycles and skateboards careen in front of the red doors of the “Old Firehouse”, narrowly missing customers entering and exiting the hardware store. Meanwhile, alfresco diners lunch under large umbrellas at “Le Dock” avoiding the midday heat and watching mothers chase after small children escaping the playground and bayfront swimming area and running for ice cream at the “Pioneer Market”. All the while, passengers disembark from the ferry, pulling red wagons, greeting and waving at a continual stream of familiar faces.

The community ritual of group participation does not stop at the end of the day. Each evening during the height of the summer, the entire community gathers to watch the sun set in a fiery ball over the Great South Bay at the Fair Harbor dock. With cocktails in hand, residents join together to recap the day’s activities and plan what will be done for the remainder of the night.