What to Do This Weekend: July 8-10, 2016

From festivals to farmers’ markets, we’ve got your weekend plans covered

Communities around the Hudson Valley are welcoming the warmer weather with seasonal celebrations. So whether you’d prefer to spend the next few days up in the air or down on the ground, here are five can’t-miss festivities to get you out and about.

Hudson Valley Hot-Air Balloon Festival, Barton Orchards, Poughquag

The Duchess County Regional Chamber of Commerce will host its 26th annual Hudson Valley Hot-Air Balloon Festival all weekend long. Wake up with the birds to watch 25 brightly colored balloons inflate and rise with the sun. If you’d rather sleep in, nearly 100 launches will take place between Friday and Sunday evening. New improvements have been made to this year’s event to ensure all-day entertainment, including live music, sample food from several local vendors, and a dazzling fireworks display. Past favorites will also be at the event, like the Moon Glow and tether rides. General admission tickets are $10 in advance. A limited number of tickets will be available for purchase at the gate for $12. Children 3 and under can attend for free.

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 Photo courtesy of Palisades Fair

Palisades Fair, Palisades Center Mall, West Nyack

Rockland County’s beloved carnival is back with high-speed rides for thrill seekers and tamed ones for tots. Take a spin on the Giant Wheel or fly high on the Wave Swinger; whichever you choose, we recommend saving the flavorful fair food for after these dizzying attractions. There’s also games, a petting zoo, and a live hypnotist show. It won’t be all fun and games for long; after this weekend, this seasonal staple will pack up until next year. Admission is $7, with discounts available on the event’s website, including presale family packages for more affordable fun. 

 

20th Anniversary Celebration of the World’s Largest Kaleidoscope, Emerson Resort & Spa, Mt. Tremper

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Visit the tourist-friendly Kaleidoscope Exhibit and Gallery and view the new “kaleidoshow,” an intergalactic guided journey through the life cycle of a star. Aspiring kaleidoscope creators can also attend a workshop with renowned artists Sue Rioux and Carolyn Bennett. Although the workshop requires advanced registration and varying fees, admission for the general celebration is free for everyone.

 

History Walk, Denning’s Point, Beacon

Enjoy an educational and engaging history walk around Denning’s Point, part of Hudson Highlands State Park, this Saturday with a Beacon Institute History Guide. Along the hike, you’ll find out what Alexander Hamilton and George Washington have to do with this significant site and what national animal nests in the park. Plus, we can’t think of a better way to burn off all that festival food.

 

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Pawling Farmers Market, Pawling

While it may be hard to resist all the fried dough and ice cream at some of the above events, we recommend filling up as well on newly picked produce at the Pawling Farmers Market; they’ll have the fruits and vegetables you need to balance out your indulgent diet and help start your work week fresh.

 

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