7/19-20: Rosendale Street Festival
The Rosendale Street Festival embodies the quirky spirit of the small town better than about anything. It is and has been 100 percent non-profit, volunteer-run event that features music from great local bands, playing at six separate stages. Vendors and craftspeople sell their art. Streets will be closed to cars, but shuttles will bring festivalgoers from parking lots outside the town center. The music lineup for 2014 had not yet been announced as of press time, so check https://rosendalestreetfestival.ning.com for more details.
7/18-20: Shandaken Arts Festival
Curious about how Castkills artists create their work? Shopping for a masterpiece? Check out the Shandaken Arts Festival and Studio Tour. Artists from Shandaken, Phoenicia, Chichester, Mount Tremper and Shokan are signed up to open their studios throughout the weekend. For more info, including a self-guided tour map, visit www.shandakenart.com.
7/20: Boice Bros. Dairy 100th anniversary
One of New York’s oldest family dairy farms will turn 100 this year, and they’re celebrating that milestone along the Kingston waterfront. Boice Bros. Dairy’s birthday bash will feature live music, ice cream, food, prizes and entertainment. T.R. Gallo Park will feature the main stage for the event.
If you’re the world-record-loving persuasion, Boice Bros. will attempt to create the longest ice-cream sundae that day, too. Right now the record is a 1250-foot-long sundae. Some of the proceeds for the event will go toward the charity Hudson River Stewards Program. Boice Bros. wants to support the program, which tries to teach kids about how vital the Hudson River is in the life of our region. Boice Bros. Birthday Bash runs from noon till 4 p.m.
7/26-27: Bounty of the Hudson Wine Festival in Washingtonville
Bounty of the Hudson is a celebration of all things Hudson Valley wine, and it features great food, music, artisanal cheese and wine tastings. It’s held at Brotherhood Winery in Washingtonville, which was started by French Huguenot Jean Jaques in the early 1800s and is most likely America’s oldest winery at 175 years old. Expect great wine from Robibero Winery, Adair Vineyards, Whitecliff Vineyard and many more. Brotherhood is located at 100 Brotherhood Plaza Drive, in Washingtonville. For tickets or more info, head to https://shawangunkwinetrail.com.
7/29-8/3: Ulster County Fair in New Paltz
The Hudson Valley is fortunate to have two old-timey county fairs in Dutchess and Ulster. Ulster’s fair also dates back to the days when Ulysses S. Grant was commander-in-chief of the United States. With the smell of popcorn in the air, the fair has live music, carnival rides, racing pigs, livestock and vegetable exhibits, and food trucks hawking just about everything.
Smaller and more intimate than Dutchess County’s fair, Ulster County Fair can be seen — even lugging strollers and kids around — all in one day. The fair opens at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, which is also Carload Night, a special event where $40 admission gets the whole crew inside. On Wednesday through Sunday, the fairgrounds open at 10 a.m. Regular admission is $15 and parking is free. The Ulster County Fairgrounds is at 249 Libertyville Road on the west side of the Wallkill from New Paltz. For more info including the schedule of evening musical entertainment, visit www.ulstercountyfair.com.
8/2-9/21: New York Renaissance Faire
If countless episodes of Game of Thrones already have you blacksmithing daggers or making chainmail, it might be time to head to the New York Renaissance Faire in Tuxedo Park. Come dressed as a knight errant, a cutthroat outlaw, a princess or the vile King Joffery Baratheon — or even come dressed in a T-shirt and denim — you’ll bound to be transported to another world. See jousting, hear the minstrels’ songs, watch a falconer send his bird flying, or shoot an arrow or three at the archery range. The Sterling Forest site is on Route 17A, not far from the Harriman Thruway exit, and open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturdays, Sundays and Labor Day. Admission costs $24 for adults, $11 for children aged 5 to 12, but early purchase discounts are offered at www.renfair.com/ny. Arthurian literature degree not required. Also check the website for more info on performers, activities and events.
8/9-10: German Alps Festival at Hunter Mt.
Bring on the beer, pretzels and lederhosen, because the German Alps Festival at Hunter Mountain is coming back. Look for a concert from Jimmy Sturr and His Orchestra, along with performances by DSB Die Schlauberger. Hunter Mountain might not be the Alps in Bavaria, but with the delicious bratwurst, schnitzel and spatzle you might feel transported. Look for fireworks on Saturday night. Hunter Mountain is just off Route 23A in Hunter. Admission is $12, but kids twelve and younger get in free. Gates open at 11 a.m. Dog owners should know that pets aren’t allowed at the festival. Get more info at www.huntermtn.com/huntermtn/festivals/summer-festivals-gaf.aspx.
8/15-17: Kingston Film Festival
Back again for another year, the Kingston Film Festival once again will bring you those indie, low-budget films — a lot of them by homegrown talent — you’ve come to love. Attendees and those angling for a coveted Red Goat Award will notice that Kingston Film Festival 2014 is a little scaled down — two days instead of 10 like last year. Screening locations weren’t announced as of press time, but last year films were shown at various locations on or near Wall Street in Uptown Kingston. For more info, visit https://kingstonfilmfestival.org.
