HudsonValleyGoodStuff

Save your appetites for Hudson Valley Garlic Festival in Saugerties on September 29 & 30th!

 

Out of towners laugh whenever I mention the Hudson Valley Garlic Gestival in Saugerties, but it is really a one of kind food festival, even if you don't love garlic. There will be chef demos from Chef Ric Orlando and Chef Pat Crocker, live bands, including Uncle Rock, children's play area, tons of local vendors.

We never know what we'll find at the Garlic Festival.  In 2004, my first time, I went for the garlic, but instead I left with a beautiful painted coffee table from one of the local craft vendors. Save your appetite and your bravado for the 2012 Hudson Valley Garlic Festival. You'll get to taste garlic marshmellows, garlic jellies, ice cream, burgers, hummus, pickles, and who knows what else!  I found this video from the 2008 Hudson Valley Garlic Festival. I think this couple captured the fun of the festival. See you there, and don't eat all the garlic!

Scenes from First Friday in Saugerties--Live music, good food, chocolate fountain, new stores & art gallery receptions!

 

Saugerties, NY

 

Chocolate fountain fun at Lucky Chocolates

 

Marleau Gallery

 

Mingling on Partition Street in Saugerties

 

Artist reception at Imogen Holloway Gallery

 

Fez Cafe in Saugerties

 

Cleome's Ghost @Partition Street Wine Shop

Dry Goods Grand Opening

The village of Saugerties was buzzing with creative activity last Friday Night, the First Friday in July.  Partition Street Wines started offering wine and spirit tastings on First Fridays and months later, many more local Saugerties businesses have joined in with special events and/or samplings. Diane Dwyer, owner of Imogen Holloway Gallery, and Rae Stang, owner of Lucky Choclates organized this night.  I missed the fashion show at DIG, but hopefully next First Friday I will catch it. 

I skipped dessert at dinner to save myself for Lucky Chocolates.  A bunch of tweens were standing guard by Lucky Chocolate's chocolate fountain, but I did manage to muscle my way in to dip a piece of pound cake in the hot chocolate sauce. They even had potato chips and pickles to dip, but I prefer good old pound cake. Oh, it was good!

Imogen Holloway displayed paintings by Joy Taylor and Garry Nichols, and Marleau Gallery showcased a collection called "Sensual Modesty" with works by Isaac Abrams, Alex Kveton, and Helen Kaufman. Fez Cafe Restaurant, Lucy's Kitchen, and Cue were all full to capacity. Dry Goods, a store by Karyn Pavich of the Dutch Ale House, was crowded with customers and friends as well.  If you visit Saugerties, you will also see a gorgeous collection of hand-painted wooden garden chairs from the "Sittin' around Saugerties" public art event project.   I'm looking forward to the next First Friday (August 3rd).  If you are in the Hudson Valley the weekend of August 5th, be sure to check out the 2nd Annual Great Saugerties Bed Race, part of Saugerties Old Timers Day.

Sittin' Around Saugerties

 

 

Sittin' Around Saugerties

 

 

Standing room only at Stella's Station

 

 

Marleau Gallery "Sensual Modesty"

 

Partition Street Wine Shop

 

4th of July Week 2012 in the Hudson Valley: 5 ideas for a Happy 4th!

Homemade pies at Wrights Farm

How are you celebrating the weird July 4th Wednesday? Here are a few ideas if you are going to be in the Hudson Valley.

1) Saugerties has an old school 4th of July Parade. Get here early! I went to this parade 2 years ago. It doesn't get more Americana than Saugerties. If your kids love vintage fire trucks, they are in for a treat. Diamond Mills Hotel and Tavern is offering special independence packages next week.

2) The Woodstock Farm Animal Sanctuary will be having their Annual July Jamboree on Saturday, July 7th.  You may have heard about their recent rescues Mike the cow, and Archie the black pig on the news. Visit them and see how they are thriving in their new Woodstock digs!

3) Go to Belleayre Beach at Pine Hill Lake, which I just blogged about.

4)  Take a stroll along the beautiful Rondout in Kingston and enjoy live music by Hot Rod starting at 6pm. Followed by fireworks at 9:45pm.

5) Eat a pie! Stop by Wrights Farm in Gardiner for their Great American Weekend 2012 and get yourself one of their pies! Visit the Woodstock Farm Festival which takes place every Wednesday until October 24th at 3:30pm to dusk. There will be lots of local goodies and pies for sale.