At its heart, the Mayfest Farmers and Makers Market on Saturday, May 20 and Sunday, May 21 along the Hudson Valley Rail Trail and west approach to Walkway Over the Hudson in Highland is a celebration of the bounty of the Hudson Valley. Attendees will find not only a curated selection of the Hudson Valley’s finest producers – farms, distilleries, breweries, wineries, restaurants, artists, artisans, and more – they’ll also enjoy live entertainment and special experiences not found anywhere else. 

A $5 general admission ticket provides access to everything, with proceeds benefiting the Friends of the Walkway nonprofit organization. Tickets are available now at walkway.org/mayfest.  Walkway members get in for free.  To learn more about membership, visit join.walkway.org.

Enter To Win Amazing Prizes

Mayfest is home to several incredible raffles, including a brand-new car!  All attendees can check out the 2023 Kia Sportage on site and enter to win a two-year lease from Romeo Auto Group.  Renewal by Anderson is giving away $10,000 in windows and doors for your home, plus sending one lucky winner on a dream cruise vacation for two and The Brother’s That Just Do Gutters are raffling off a huge basket filled with local products and a gift certificate.

Hear Live Music All Weekend Long

Live music is the soundtrack to Mayfest, with local favorites 7th 7eam playing rock, pop, and hip-hop on Saturday, May 21 from 12-3 p.m., while Roadhouse 60s Band throws it back with your old school favorites from 12-3 p.m. on Sunday.  From 3-5 p.m. on both days, enjoy the acoustic folk stylings of Jasperoo.  DJ’s from iHeart Media of the Hudson Valley will spin the hits in-between, with kids enjoying the dynamic Tiny Bubbles Ukulele.  And don’t miss pop-up dance shows and TriviaBreak trivia contests on both days.

Sample Top Local Wines, Beers, and Spirits

For attendees 21 years of age and older, the chance to sample from more than 25 of the area’s top wine, beer, cider, and spirits producers is included with every $5 Mayfest ticket.  Interspersed with all vendors, guests will find local favorites like 1857 Spirits, Hudson Whiskey, Mill House Brewing Company, Black Button Distillery, Brooklyn Ciders, Sloop Brewing, Nine Pin Cider, Cooper’s Daughter Spirits, Freefall Sangria and more, offering bottles for purchase and tastings of their top products.  And if you’d like a little more than a taste, stop by The Yard Bar presented by Romeo Auto Group for demonstrations and unique cocktails all afternoon.

Meet Your Favorite Princesses and Superheroes

Thanks to MGI International, kids can get their picture taken with Anna, Elsa, Princess Jasmine, Cinderella, Spiderman, Thor, and more each day from 12-3 p.m. Children under 12 receive free admission to Mayfest and will find many engaging activities to ensure they have a memorable day out.  They can meet a new furry friend with Parrots For Peace, the Dutchess SPCA, or Wayward Farm Family Sanctuary. Crazy For Art and Music For Humanity will help them tap into their creative side, while the Mid-Hudson Children’s Museum and YMCA prove that learning can be fun too.

See A Show

Mayfest is home to the Hudson Valley Sustainable Fashion Show on Sunday, May 21, pop-up dance performances throughout the weekend, and even interactive blacksmithing demonstrations from Blacksmith Billy Barrett.

Fun For Your Furry Friend

Well-behaved pets on a four-foot, non-retractable leash are welcome at Mayfest.  And perhaps your pup has what it takes to be a champion. At 3 p.m. each day, InLine K9 Company is hosting the Dog Olympics!  Who will take home the blue ribbon in events like the longest sit/stay, treat toss, and more? No matter the results, all the good boys and girls can enjoy a new, expanded pet section of vendors featuring treats, scarves, and clothing specifically for our four-legged friends. 

Local Authors and Artists On Hand

Get a book signed by fantasy author C.L. Schneider, local historian David Levine, and sportswriter Matthew Silverman or take home some one-of-a-kind art from Draw with the Hollicks, Noel Carey, Patricia Broun, and Rose Gennaro.

Fuel Up For All The Fun

You’ll need your strength to see all Mayfest has to offer, and the event features many of the Hudson Valley’s top food trucks and culinary offerings – including vegan, vegetarian, and gluten free!  Mark Elia – a professor at the Culinary Institute of America – will be serving up his famous barbecue, you can sample eight different types of knishes from The Knish, and then savor something sweet like pastries from Hudson Valley Bakery or Nancy’s Artisanal Ice Cream among the more than 20 food vendors participating.

The entirety of Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park will remain accessible at no cost throughout Mayfest. Parking is free along Haviland Road and in the Town of Lloyd lot (87 Haviland Road, Highland, NY 12528).  Additional parking is available at the Napa Auto Care Center by Shamrock Square (3555 Route 9W, Highland, NY 12528), Ulster County Park and Ride (at the corner of 9W and Route 299 in Highland), and at the Poughkeepsie Metro-North Train Station.  A shuttle will operate on a continuous loop between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. to transport guests to and from their vehicle.

Tickets are available now. To purchase and see a complete list of vendors, live music, frequently asked questions, and more, visit walkway.org/mayfest.