When family and newborn photographer Melissa Chartier Surprise opened her Poughkeepsie studio years ago, she found an immediate synchronous connection with the business next door, Waddle n Swaddle. Thinking of the many amazing women she knew in the area who had similarly grown their passions into businesses, Surprise started hosting monthly meet-ups where people could connect. Each meeting, the group would highlight a particular member’s business, and eventually a desire to showcase all that talent swelled. An event took shape and, last year, it settled into a permanent collaboration with Nostrano Vineyards in Milton. This year, on Saturday, October 1st, the Mid-Hudson Marketplace is hosting its third annual fall festival of seventy curated vendors: artists, makers, crafters, farmers, mom-and-pops, and pop-up shops. And there are a few great reasons to bring the kids.
Nestled in Nostrano Vineyards’ big, beautiful field, where kids love to run and play, amidst the barn and vendor tables, will be a family-friendly spot where families can also curl up. Poughkidsie will host hourly demonstrations and activities for the little ones. It might be a book reading, a science experiment, or a DIY craft, at their creative work booth and play station. Waddle n Swaddle will set up a nursing and baby changing station so parents can have a comfortable place to be with their babies. And Frida’s Bakery will be offering a kid-friendly food craft at their second booth in the play area. It’s a whole wing of kids activities and family-friendliness to enjoy while families peruse the marketplace for handcrafted jewelry, culinary treats and art to inspire cooking, teas and spices, fashion, and artisanal goods. “It’s a whole celebration of the Hudson Valley and what we have here,” says Surprise, “and we want everybody to come celebrate.”
The Third Annual Mid-Hudson Marketplace Fall Festival at Nostrano Vineyards, 14 Gala Lane in Milton: Saturday, October 1, 2016; 11 am – 5 pm; free! Near the willow tree will be food trucks with specialties and indulgences, like samosas, cookies, handcut fries, and cupcakes. Bring a blanket to sit out in the field across the creek and grab some of Nostrano’s delicious grapes, apples, and wine. For more details, visit the Mid-Hudson Marketplace website and Facebook event.
This article appears in September 2016.
