Holiday Events
Head to The Bakery on Halloween for New Paltz's Ultimate Pumpkin Carving Contest
Every year, in the crisp dusk light of All Hallow’s Eve, thousands of goblins, gremlins, witches, and fairies of all ages descend on the Village of New Paltz for the annual Halloween parade.
This year, the New Paltz Halloween parade kicks off at 6pm on Wednesday, October 31, at the corner of Main Street and Manheim Boulevard. The cast of ghoulish characters will troop down the hill and to the New Paltz Firehouse, where the Lion’s Club will distribute treats.
The Night of 100 Pumpkins
Nearby at The Bakery, another annual Halloween tradition will be underway—The Night of 100 Pumpkins. For the past 28 years, this tucked-away cafe and bake shop on North Front Street has hosted the area’s most epic pumpkin carving contest and Halloween celebration.
These are not your run-of-the-milled canned jack-o-lanterns. Judged by a rotating cast of local artists, including many who have shown in The Bakery’s gallery, the underlying ethos of this contest is to create truly artful, original carvings. Anyone can submit a pumpkin for consideration on October 30 (and get a free cookie for doing so!).
On Halloween morning, the pumpkins get judged and that night, the carved gourds are lit up for everyone to enjoy. Santner estimates that over 2,000 people come through to see the zany display of pumpkin sculptures gourds over the course of the evening. (One year, someone even proposed by pumpkin).
Over 60 prizes, provided by village businesses, are awarded in a broad range of categories from cutest to most peculiar to best panoramic pumpkin, to most petrifying. “The point is not to pick the best overall pumpkin,” Bakery owner David Santner says. “We’re trying to give out lots of prizes.” To make the competition more fair, kids’ pumpkins are judged separately from adults’.
Head to The Bakery between 6-10pm on Halloween, to see the pumpkins illuminated, listen to live African drumming, and enjoy free pumpkin bread, cocoa, and cider. The cafe will also be open for business.
For more information, call (845) 255-8840 or visit www.ilovethebakery.com.
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By Marie Doyon
Oct 19, 2018
Tags: Holiday Events halloween jack-o-lantern pumpkin carving The Bakery Web Only Sponsored Content
Outdoors
The next time you munch an apple-cider doughnut or sip a steaming mug of cider as you look at the fall colors, you may find yourself wondering why leaves change color. Here is a look at some of the biological mechanics behind fall foliage, plus 5 places to go to see the Hudson Valley's autumn colors in all their splendor.
By Ian Halim
Oct 4, 2018
Tags: Outdoors fall foliage leaf peeper Web Only
Weddings
Vintage Trailers & Campers-Turned Mobile Bars and Photo Booths
While the tiny house fad has catalyzed a generation of DIY airstream remodels, many of those refurbished trailers remain stationary. But Hudson Trailer Co., based out of Washingtonville, spruces up vintage tow-behind campers and transforms them into mobile bars and photo booths for rental as whimsical-yet-functional centerpieces for weddings and events.
By Briana Bonfiglio
Sep 20, 2018
Tags: Weddings wedding rentals photo booth hudson trailer co. Web Only
Weddings
For a Creekside Industrial-Chic Wedding Head to Lumberyard
The renovation of Lumberyard's performing art space in Catskill is complete at long last (and debuts tomorrow September 1). But that's not all, beginning this fall, the 1.7-acre creekside property is also available for rental. Choose from two different spaces or do a full property buyout for exclusive access and 12,000 square feet of event space.
By Marie Doyon
Aug 31, 2018
Tags: Weddings wedding venue rustic wedding industrial chic wedding catskill lumberyard Sponsored Content
Outdoors
Tips, Trips, & Safety: A Guide to Paddling Hudson Valley Waterways
New to paddling? Or new to the area? Get an overview of everything you need to know to paddle the Hudson River and the surrounding estuaries, including safety tips, tide info, and several itineraries so you can kayak or canoe safely.
By Ian Halim
Aug 30, 2018
Tags: Outdoors hudson river outdoor recreation paddling kayaking canoing Web Only
Outdoors
A Photo Essay by Yva Momatiuk
National Geographic photographers Yva Momatiuk and John Eastcott document a day in nature in the Hudson Valley, aboard their canoe, Edy.
By Yva Momatiuk
Aug 9, 2018
Tags: Outdoors nature photography photo essay canoe Web Only
Beauty & Fashion
One Jeweler's Experience of the Community-Sourced Pop-Up Repair Shop
Seasoned jeweler Barbara Klar, of Clear Metals, shares her experience of working at a Repair Cafe in the Hudson Valley, fixing an artful pendant necklace made by artist Rolph Scarlett.
By Barbara Klar
Aug 2, 2018
Tags: Beauty & Fashion Barbara Klar jewelry repair cafe rolph scarlett Web Only
Art of Business
Dandelion is Innovating Geothermal Technology and Accessibility
Google-incubated startup Dandelion is revolutionizing access to geothermal heating and cooling systems and bringing this technology to the Hudson Valley.
By Marykate Marley
Aug 1, 2018
Tags: Art of Business geothermal energy dandelion geothermal heating rhinebeck
Outdoors
Summer in the Hudson Valley is ephemeral. Here are the top 10 things to do near you, before it’s all over.
By Briana Bonfiglio
Aug 1, 2018
Tags: Outdoors summer outdoor activities
Outdoors
Zak Pelaccio and Friends are Back 8/11 for a Gourmet Picnic
Join Fish and Game farm in Hudson for the fourth annual Play With Fire Cookout.
Aug 1, 2018
Tags: Outdoors fish and game hudson summer cookout
Shopping
Earlier this year, Green Mountain Minerals joined Beacon's gallery community with their new storefront at 412 Main Street. Visit the new space to view beautiful, rare mineral specimens and learn the basics of the science of minerology.
By Marie Doyon
Aug 1, 2018
Tags: Shopping green mountain minerals crystals beacon Sponsored Content
Outdoors
The soil in Ulster County contains an abundance of natural treasures—from the sprawl of orchards to the rolling fields where livestock roam and feed. When the weather permits, it’s hard to beat a weekend in thrall to nature’s bounty, but where do you start? We have a few ideas.
Now in its 61st year, Dressel Farms in New Paltz is known for its mouthwatering strawberries and apples, which are also used in the soft and hard ciders of Kettleborough Cider House.
Dolan Orchards in Wallkill specializes in apples, cherries, peaches, pears, plums, and vegetables. CDC Farms in Gardiner is all about handcrafted artisan cheese made with fresh Hudson Valley raw cow's milk. The facility also offers tasting tours, field trips, and private parties. Hepworth Farms in Milton yields more than 400 varieties of organic vegetables, while Four Winds Farm in Gardiner sells heirloom vegetable seedlings along with turkey, pork, and grass-fed beef. Minard’s Family Farm in Clintondale is an ideal autumn stop for its apples and pumpkins, corn maze, hayrides, and a barn market.
Ulster County’s numerous farmers’ markets are magnets for chefs, foodies and locavores in search of the freshest flavors. In addition to organic produce and meats, the Ellenville Farmers’ Market features art from local makers and the Rosendale Farmers’ Market offers live entertainment. Of course, we’d be remiss not to mention the Kingston Farmers’ Market, named “Best Farmers’ Market” in 2016 by Hudson Valley magazine.
These suggestions only scratch the surface. For a full list of farms and markets, visit ulstercountyalive.com and start planning your outing today....
By Marie Doyon
Aug 1, 2018
Tags: Outdoors ulster county nature ulster county tourism Sponsored Content
Beauty & Fashion
Your Guide to Rockin' Retro Threads Upstate
Vintage and second-hand clothing is a great way to rock a far-out, super individual style without breaking the bank. In addition to the classics (ahem Goodwill and Salvation Army) here are some top-notch vintage shops in the Hudson Valley so you can get yourself some thrifty new threads.
By Marie Doyon
Jul 25, 2018
Tags: Beauty & Fashion vintage clothing fashion clothing
Outdoors
While the weather is warm, take advantage of the glorious Hudson Valley scenic outlooks and pack a picnic. Whether you go with your lover, your friends, or all alone with a book, a fresh air meal is a great way to get outside.
By Krysti Sabins
Jul 25, 2018
Tags: Outdoors picnic outdoor dining summer activities Web Only
Outdoors
Your Guide to the Best Local Spots for Hiking & Swimming
When the weather is nice the Hudson Valley is a great place to be—with endless natural beauty and outdoor recreation opportunities. Get out there and hike one of these trails ending is a deliciously refreshing swimming spot. Some end in pools, some rivers, and others in lakes—either way they are sure to cool you off.
By Ian Halim
Jul 18, 2018
Tags: Outdoors hiking swimming summer activities summer outing
Entertaining
Woodstock Byrdcliffe Guild hosts a self-guided tour of beautiful Woodstock homes on July 14.
By Brian K. Mahoney
Jul 1, 2018
Tags: Entertaining woodstock home house tour
Sustainability
NRG Community Solar brings a convenient model for clean energy – with no rooftop installation
NRG Community Solar is championing a new model for clean energy generation, not to mention potential energy savings, through their Community Solar program. The company is in development on 11 other Community Solar farms in Dutchess, Ulster, and Greene Counties, all of which are actively accepting enrollments.
By Marie Doyon
Jun 28, 2018
Tags: Sustainability solar power renewable energy green energy nrg solar farm community solar Sponsored Content
Beauty & Fashion
Bringing Avant-Garde Japanese Fashion to the Hudson Valley
Rejecting the status quo never looked so good. Kasuri in Hudson is a luxury clothing boutique dedicated to showcasing the world's most influential directional fashion designers, while firmly rooted in a commitment to the work of avant-garde Japanese designers. The post-punk anti-establishment vibe that characterizes the shop creates a welcoming environment where anyone is free to wander in, ask questions, and try on clothes.
By Marie Doyon
Jun 2, 2018
Tags: Beauty & Fashion punk fashion avant-garde fashion jonathan osofsky hudson clothing boutique kasuri yohji yamamoto commes de garcons Slideshow
