You Won't Believe What You'll Find at the Woodstock-New Paltz Art and Craft Fair

Come experience the Woodstock-New Paltz Art & Craft Fair this Memorial Day weekend- it's become a nationally recognized event featuring handcrafted functional and decorative art from the most talented craftspeople in the northeast.

This groundbreaking crafts fair draws thousands of visitors to the Ulster County Fairgrounds twice a year to meet the artists and enjoy demonstrations, live music, entertainment, and more!

Whether you're decorating a country home, bringing some rural charm to an urban apartment, looking for something farm fresh to highlight a dinner party, or just need an excuse to get away, the Woodstock-New Paltz Art and Crafts Fair has what you’re looking for.

The carefully curated community of 300 independently juried artists and craftspeople from all over the country have developed a vibrant craft culture which makes this fair a unique experience and a pleasure for all.

Demonstrating ceramic techniques, jewelry making, ironwork, wood carving and turning, leather-working, broom-making, etching, weaving and more, many of the artists will be conducting continuous demonstrations throughout the show in addition to exhibiting their finished products..

Featuring beautiful handcrafted works in ceramics, fiber, fine art, glass, jewelry, leather, metal, mixed media, photography and wood, the fair also offers the opportunity to enjoy healing arts, musical arts, local wines, and landscape arts.

Architectural craft exhibits include handcrafted built-ins, laminated hardwood lamps, woodware accessories, sculptural pieces, stained glass windows, hand-sewn patchwork wall hangings... even handcrafted tiny houses!

Looking for the finest in unique handcrafted specialty foods and healthcare products?  You’ll find a wide variety of all natural foods, beverages and healthcare specialties crafted with care by small artisan vendors with a focus on quality.

If you're a crafter yourself,  be sure to check out the exhibits of crafting supplies which feature hand-spun yarns, fabrics, leather goods, jewelry supplies, tools and other quality equipment suited for the most discerning craftsperson.

Of course, no fair would be complete without an eclectic mix of live music and entertainment!  Highlights of this year’s shows will include performances by Kayla Rae, Deb Cavanaugh's Children's Show, Artie Tobia Band, All-She-Wrote, Michael Gordon and the Outsiders, Eric Erickson, Christine and Elliot Spiro, and magician Jim Snack!!

There’s something for everyone at the Woodstock-New Paltz Art & Craft Fair, and the Hudson Valley Resort & Spa is just minutes from it all!

Gracefully set in the heart of the Shawangunk Mountains and surrounded with gorgeous Catskill views, the Hudson Valley Resort & Spa offers 270 comfortable, well-appointed guest rooms.

Guests enjoy our indoor and outdoor pools, tennis and basketball courts, an arcade center, and so much more!  

So give us a call at 845-626-8888 when planning your trip to the Woodstock-New Paltz Art & Craft Fair this Memorial Day weekend, and we'll help you make the most of your stay!

Warm Holiday Memories on Cold Winter Days

In today’s fast and furious holiday rush, it’s all too easy to lose sight of the spirit of the season.  Family and tradition can be drowned out by the constant cacophony of gaudy advertisements screaming for a share of your holiday shopping budget. 

Don’t let your holidays be hijacked!  Give your family the gift of a treasured holiday memory this season with a trip upstate to cut your very own Christmas tree at one of our quaint Hudson Valley Christmas tree farms!

Step away from the crowds this year and step into a winter wonderland.  Harvesting your own natural Christmas tree hearkens back to a simpler age, and it can be a wonderful holiday experience your whole family will enjoy. 

Nearby Bells Christmas Tree Farm offers visitors the opportunity to select the perfect tree from more than 10 exciting varieties of every shape and size.  Armed with a saw and a sled, you’ll stroll through acres of scenic farmland while enjoying real “quality time” with your loved ones. 

Bells specializes in making warm memories on cold days, and they offer a number of holiday activities and treats along the way.  Be sure to enjoy some hot chocolate and apple cider while warming up in the rustic country gift-shop!  Featuring local honey, maple syrup and unique handmade gifts, you’ll find something for everyone on your list while helping to support New York agriculture.

Once you've found the perfect Christmas tree, the cutting process is fun and easy.  Simply saw parallel to the ground, and then load the tree onto the sled!  You don't have to worry about environmental impact: just like fruits and vegetables, these trees are a managed crop and each year hundreds of new trees are planted to replace the harvest.

There’s really something special about cutting your very own Christmas tree, and your family will cherish the memory of your day at the farm.  This is how holiday traditions begin- by stepping away from the crowd, and spending time with one another.

Just 90 miles over the river and through the woods from NYC, Bells Christmas Tree Farm is just minutes from the Hudson Valley Resort & Spa.  With clean and comfortable accommodations starting as low as $89 a night, you’ll feel a world away without breaking the bank.  Just call or click today, and we’ll help you make the most of your stay!

History of the Shawangunk Berry Pickers

The Northern Shawangunk Ridge was once home to a lively seasonal community of Berry Pickers who made their living foraging the wild blueberries which thrive along the wind-swept heights of what is now Minnewaska State Park and Sam’s Point Preserve.

Beginning in the early 1700’s, rugged men and women from the area would make the long, hard journey through untamed wilds to reach these precious fruits.  A road to the ridge wouldn’t be completed until 1850, and bears and mountain lions were common.

Makeshift tarpaper squatter shacks began to appear by 1862, and many pickers would return with their families each July and stay through the season.  A good picker could forage 35 quarts of blueberries every day, which would then be sold to the local general store and shipped to Catskill resorts and to the prosperous people of New York City.

It was the completion of Smiley Road in 1901 which really opened the door for the blueberry picking camps.  By 1920, many ramshackle shanties dotted the road which supported thriving communities for one month each year, but which were ghost-towns for the others.

The berry-picking communities were lively places inhabited by good, simple folk living close to the land.  After filling their baskets from sun up to sun down, the berry pickers would gather together and tell stories, play games, dance, drink and sing.  Some rowdy camps gained a reputation for being less “family friendly” than others.

The Berry Pickers were an industrious people who knew that blueberries bushes produce the most fruit the year following a wildfire.  When the season’s last berry had been picked, it was common for the Berry Pickers to set fire to the Shawangunk ridge.  The folks who started the blaze would often return to the local saloon and await the call for firefighters- the same berry pickers who started the fires were often the people paid to help put them out!

Following World War 2, the changing world economy meant the end of an era for the Shawangunk berry pickers.  The rise of commercial blueberry farming made blueberries an inexpensive and widely available commodity, and the reduced demand for blueberries harvested in the wild made it difficult for the Berry Pickers to return.

By the close of the 1950’s, the last of the Berry Pickers had packed up their belongings, and the shanty towns have remained silent ever since.

Many artifacts of this unique part of the American Heritage still remain, and several of the Berry Picker’s shanties still stand in testimony of this forgotten era.  A walk through Sam’s Point Preserve along Old Smiley Road reveals many examples; The Nature Conservancy now operates a nature preserve here which encompasses some of the most popular berry picking sites.

Each year, the nearby town of Ellenville celebrates this rich part of our history with the Shawangunk Mountain Wild Blueberry Festival featuring performances by local musicians, handcrafted gifts, cultural events, entertainment, and of course- blueberries!  

Ideally situated just minutes from Sam’s Point Preserve and the Shawangunk Mountain Blueberry Festival, the Hudson Valley Resort & Spa is the perfect place to stay when exploring the historic Shawangunk Ridge.  Adjacent to Minnewaska State park and surrounded by gorgeous Catskill Views, our beautiful par 71 championship golf course and full-service European health spa creates the perfect balance of Charm and Comfort.

Featuring indoor and outdoor swimming pools, an arcade center, tennis, basketball and so much more, you'll enjoy resort accommodations while exploring all the area has to offer!

Do you have a story to share about Blueberry picking in the Shawangunks?  Comment below, and tell us about it!

Jimmy Sturr and Bill Haley's Comets at the Oldies but Goodies Weekend

I'm super excited to learn about the upcoming Oldies but Goodies weekend to be hosted at the Hudson Valley Resort.

Three days of non-stop dancing and the best classic feel-good music featuring world famous musician, TV and radio host,18 time Grammy award winner and undisputed King of Polka, Jimmy Sturr.

Bill Haley's Comets will also rock the socks off this luxurious Catskill Resort; they'll be performing their chart-busting hits Rock Around the Clock, See You Later Alligator, and many others!  

Other featured performers will include John Gora & Gorale, The Maestro’s Men, The Polka Naturals, and the Johnny Dee Orchestra.  What a lineup!

If you love good times and great music, this is a event you'll be sorry to miss!  

Registered guests will be enjoying two nights and three days lodging at the Hudson Valley Resort, six delicious meals with choice of entrees, welcome party with four hour open bar, hot & cold Hors d’Oeuvres, Saturday morning bloody mary & screwdriver party, Saturday open bar, Jackpot Bingo, Polka Mass, Saturday candlelight dinner with complimentary wine, Friday night hoagies in the lobby, and a Saturday night pizza party.

Phew!  Rock till you drop and Polka 'till you're pooped!

Planning to attend, or have a memory to share?  Comment below!

Exploring the Hudson Valley

As the newest team member here at the Hudson Valley Resort and Spa, I'm really looking forward to exploring this historic hotel and conference center while updating you on the local events and attractions which make the Hudson Valley so special.

The historic Catskill resorts are legendary, and the Hudson Valley Resort is certainly carrying on that heritage.

 Perfectly situated to provide easy access to both the majestic Catskills and the fabled Shawangunk mountains, it's the perfect landing spot to explore the richness of the greater Hudson Valley.

As I learn more about the beautiful grounds and amenities here at the hotel, I'll be sure to post photos, videos, and first-hand experiences for you to review and enjoy!

I hope to discover the best the Hudson Valley, Catskills and Shawangunks have to offer; whether hiking and biking in our beautiful scenic parks, playing the area golf courses, enjoying the regions best fine dining, or exploring opportunities for health and wellness, you'll learn about it here.

Why not tell us about your favorite experiences here at the Hudson Valley Resort?  Comment below to share your story!