The annual Candlelight Tour of Homes, hosted by the Historical Society of Newburgh Bay and the Highlands, offers an intimate look into the architectural treasures of New York's largest upstate historic district, including Washington's Headquarters and the neoclassical Captain David Crawford House built in 1830 on 500-acres overlooking the Hudson River. These historic spaces come to life with the holiday spirit of times past, decorated with traditional greens, flowers, and fruit. Warm Up at the Washington's features 18th-century music performed by the Salmagundi Consort, historic interpreters in each room, and hot mulled cider brewed over an outdoor fire. Tour participants receive an illustrated booklet that includes a map of all the sites, and they tour the properties at their own pace. Tickets are available for a $25 advanced donation to the Historical Society.
Newburgh Fish Fry
This past August, the 5th annual Fish Fry Community Outreach at HRP Life Changing Ministries served 1,600 people, and supplied backpack and school supplies to 130 community children. Event founder Dawn Jackson of Healthy Meals on Wheels teamed up with Reverend Norcecio Harris, the inner-city church pastor, to achieve these record-breaking numbers, along with generous donations from local businesses and community members. The annual event features an afternoon of free food, games, music, prizes, back to school supplies, and good will.
Annual Races around Chadwick Lake
Chadwick Lake, a reservoir created in 1926 that supplies water to the Town of Newburgh, hosts seasonal races around the lake's 4-mile scenic route. In June, the annual Lap4Life Chadwick Lake Race/Walk/Kid's Race benefits the nonprofit organization created to raise money and awareness for desmoid tumors and organ transplant research. September's Wheezers & Geezers race for men and women ages 50 and up is held in conjunction with the Annual Orange County Senior Games, offering exclusive races for senior runners and walkers on the well-groomed, hard-packed lake trail. In November, Chadwick Lake hosts an annual Turkey Trot. The park's facilities include picnic shelters, a playground, walking trails, boating launches, basketball courts, and a roller rink—so spend the day after clocking some miles.
Newburgh Free Library Annual Book Sales
The Friends of the Newburgh Free Library sponsor two annual book sales, one in November and one in June, to raise money for library materials and programs. The June book sale, held on the second Sunday each year, offers quality books at affordable prices, including bestsellers, hardcover and paperbacks, children's, and speciality books. Tote bags are available for purchase for easy transporting. A preview sale is held the night before for those who want first picks on books. Admission is $10, and includes a year's membership to the Friends of the Library, a volunteer group working to increase community awareness, sponsor programs, and create public support. The Fall Holiday Book Sale features coffee table and art books for gift-giving, and admission is free.
Whether once a week, once a month, or through the season, Newburgh's farmers' markets got you covered. On Fridays from 10am-5pm from mid-July through October, a farmers' market sets up in Downing Park, a 35-acre landscape park created by the same designers of New York City's Central Park complete with hills, valleys, streams, and a pond. To promote the revitalization of Newburgh's downtown area, Safe Harbors of the Hudson hosts the annual Ann Street Market on the last Saturday of the month from July through October. In addition to fresh, local foods, the market features local crafts, art, and live music. If you miss your chance to attend one of these outdoor venues, check out Overlook Farm's seasonal market, complete with a pick-your-own orchard, bakery, deli (featuring their signature $1 turkey sandwiches), juice bar, garden center, petting zoo, and farm stand.
