Agriculture will be in the spotlight at the 11th Annual Margaretville Cauliflower Festival September 27 from 10 to 4 at the Village Park, Margaretville.
This free festival is sponsored by the Central Catskills Chamber of Commerce and several generous businesses. Visit www.cauliflowerfestival.com for more information.
Area growers and food producers – members of Pure Catskills, a program of the Watershed Agricultural Council — will offer farm-fresh produce. A parade of tractors will demonstrate the historic and continuing importance of these big-wheeled machines, and visitors will be invited to climb aboard a tractor-pulled hay wagon for a ride around a neighboring field.
The history of the cauliflower growing industry in the Catskills will be recounted by the Historical Society of the Town of Middletown, which will also have an exhibit on “Animals on the Farm.” Naturally, bushels of cauliflower will be available for purchase.
The parade will feature tractors old and new, of every make and color, driven by proud current and former farmers. The procession will make a couple of spins around the festival grounds at 11:30 a.m.
A “Best in Show” trophy will be presented following the parade. The Catskill Mountain News is sponsoring this informal contest, and all tractor drivers will receive a complimentary chicken barbecue lunch courtesy of News Publisher Dick Sanford. Tractor owners who would like to participate are invited to register by Friday, Sept. 26 by calling 586-4661.
Highlighting the entertainment offerings this year will be traditional and blues musician Mike Hermann, and Jason Starr who will celebrate the folk music legacy of Pete Seeger and Woody Guthrie.
The festival is a family friendly event with lots of fun for children, including the ever popular Woodchuck Springs petting place with farm animals and horse rides. Margaretville Central School students will paint kids’ faces and lead arts and crafts activities.
The park pavilion will serve as a food court, where several area restaurants and vendors will offer everything from pulled pork to fried cauliflower and cauliflower soup. At your service will be Summerfields, Arkville Bread & Breakfast, Ei’s Fries, Maggie’s Weenie Wagon, Aunt Mimi’s, Kiss My Butts, Woodstock Kettle Corn, Bob’s Pickles and Lazy Crazy Acres.
The Margaretville Rotary Club with offer traditional barbecue chicken.
Exhibitors will include Delaware County Soil & Water Conservation District with a stream table demonstrating how creeks and rivers function under different conditions. The Catskill Forest Association, the Margaretville Hospital and Auxiliary, Heart of the Catskills Humane Society and Fleischmanns First will also be on hand.
Many fine artisans will demonstrate and sell their creations, ranging from jewelry to shawls. Several other vendors will add their own special hues to this colorful event.
Sponsors of the Festival include Freshtown Market Place, MTC, Coldwell Banker/Timberland Properties, WIOX, Directive, and the members of the Central Catskills Chamber of Commerce.
Comments