From spuds to suds, the Hudson Valley was in full swing this past weekend.
On Oct. 4, the Millbrook farm of Ana Marie Carvalho-Nabico hosted visitors who came to celebrate potatoes and the grow-local movement at her third annual, Potato Festival. The festival was inspired by Carvalho-NabicoӪs childhood of picking potatoes in the field of her native Portugal. To encourage the children to help pick potatoes in the fields, her grandmother had contests between youngsters to see who could pick the most potatoes. Today, Carvalho-Nabico decided to take her experiences picking potatoes as well as working with her grandmother selling their familyӪs olive oil, and combine it into a festival. Vendors included YayaӪs Gourmet of Marlboro, the Silver Spoon Caf̩ of Poughkeepsie, In a New York Minute Concierge services and Carvalho-NabicoӪs own stands selling Ana MarieӪs Organic Olive Oil and vegetables from her organic farm.
Carvalho-Nabico”™s granddaughter Alexandra Cordeiro sold lemonade (with mint leaf) and donated her profits to St. Jude”™s Children”™s Hospital.
Wunderbar!
The sounds and smells of Bavaria filled the air at Hunter Mountain Oct. 4-5, as young and old came out to dance, play and enjoy the weekend of Oktoberfest-ivities.
The Catskill Mountains offered the perfect backdrop to the festival ”“ a brilliant landscape of gold, crimson and burnt-orange leaves.
Visitors enjoyed an array of traditional German fare, from schweinsbraten (pork) and reiberdatschi (potato pancakes), as well as other ethnic specialties ”“ gyros proved popular with some diners.
And what Bavarian festival would be complete without Oktoberfestbiers? There were several stands serving up the traditionals ”“ including Spaten and a few other hearty darks.
Hunter”™s parking lot also was filled with motorcycles ”“ Harleys and BMWs ”“ as riders came to show off their bikes.
There were crafts for the kids and a variety of vendors offering wares for all ages.
Kathleen Lang proved she had all the right moves as she dazzled onlookers with her Hula Hoop dance. The owner of Hill Top Movement Center in Saugerties gave demonstrations and had hoops for sale. She also offers hula lessons and pilates classes at her studio. For information, call 706-5737.
