POUGHKEEPSIE – The Walktoberfest Essential Farmers and Makers Market is being held on October 2nd and October 3rd from 12:00 non to 5:00 p.m. The event brings farms, distilleries, breweries, wineries, restaurants, artists, artisans, and more to the Hudson Valley Rail Trail and west approach to Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park.
Vendors will be offering their wares for tasting or purchase, encouraging participants to support several local agribusinesses. For complete information, tickets, and a list of participants, visit walkway.org/walktoberfest.
“We’re tremendously pleased to host another great Walktoberfest with the Hudson Valley Rail Trail on the west approach to Walkway Over the Hudson,” said Elizabeth Waldstein, Executive Director, Friends of the Walkway. “This is an opportunity to showcase the bounty of the Hudson Valley, in partnership with HVRT, Town of Lloyd, NYS Parks Ulster County, Dept of Ag, and our generous sponsors, volunteers, and vendors. “
More than 100 vendors will be socially distanced on the Hudson Valley Rail Trail and the Walkway’s Ulster Welcome Center Plaza at 87 Haviland Road in Highland. Walktoberfest features farm-fresh products, food from local restaurants, beer, wine, and spirits samples in a designated tasting area, along with art installations, locally made goods, and a special area for children’s activities. All proceeds from Walktoberfest benefit the Friends of the Walkway and Hudson Valley Rail Trail, who have partnered to present this farmers market.
Tasting tickets are required for full access to wine, beer, spirits, and cider samples from more than 20 area purveyors. Tasting tickets are $25 per person. Walkway members, veterans, active-duty military, and senior citizens (65+) receive discounted admission. General admission to Walktoberfest excluding the tasting area is free. Tickets can be purchased at walkway.org/walktoberfest. Super Heroes and Disney Princess will be onsite available for photos. Two By Two Petting Zoo will bring their furry friends and American Idol contestant Laila Mach from New Paltz will be there.
Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park and the Hudson Valley Rail Trail will remain open and accessible at no cost as usual throughout Walktoberfest. Tickets are only required for access to the Walktoberfest tasting area. Free parking is available in the Walkway Over the Hudson Town of Lloyd Lot at 87 Haviland Road in Highland, the lot at 3555 Route 9W, Highland, next to Shamrock Liquor and the Park and Ride Ulster County parking lot located at the corner of NY Route 299 and Route 9W in Highland. There is a complimentary shuttle running on a continuous loop from the 3555 Route 9W lot near Shamrock Liquor and the Ulster County Park and Ride parking lot to Walktoberfest. Access to the shuttle is free.
Masks will be required for all attendees, except when sampling items. Organizers say that Walktoberfest is planned in full compliance with current New York State mandates for safety. Vendors will be appropriately distanced throughout a wide, open area.
Tickets are limited to discourage large gatherings of people and entry for walk-up admission may be delayed if Walktoberfest reaches capacity. Traffic flow will be controlled where necessary. All seating areas and the children’s activity area are set up for social distancing. Hand sanitizing stations will be available throughout the space.
