More than 190 vendors join with live music, kids’ activities, and tastings to create a can’t-miss celebration of the bounty of the Hudson Valley.

This Memorial Day Weekend, a beloved Hudson Valley tradition gets a new home. The annual Mayfest Farmers and Makers Market will be held at Waryas Park in Poughkeepsie on Saturday, May 24; Sunday May 25; and Monday, May 26 from 12-5 p.m. each day. The event kicks off with a ribbon cutting ceremony at noon on May 24.

Featuring more than 190 local vendors including farms, breweries, wineries, distilleries, restaurants, artists, and artisans, Mayfest is a showcase of the very best the region has to offer. Many participants offer free samples and tastings, with countless products available to purchase. For complete information about all that’s happening on the banks of the Hudson River, visit walkway.org/mayfest.

General admission to Mayfest is $5, with entry valid for any of the three days.  Admission includes full access to all vendors, samplings of wine, beer, cider, and spirits from more than 30 area purveyors, full schedules of live music and specialty performances, art installations, kids’ activities, and much more. Walkway members and children under 12 enter free each day. To learn more about Walkway membership and to receive your complimentary Mayfest tickets, visit join.walkway.org.

Mayfest is hosted by Friends of the Walkway, a nonprofit partner of New York State Parks.  All proceeds support their mission to connect communities and enhance the Walkway Over the Hudson experience for the more than 600,000 guests that cross the span each year.

“Over the last six years, Mayfest has become a cornerstone springtime event in the Hudson Valley,” said Lori Robertson, Executive Director of Friends of the Walkway. “This year’s move to Waryas Park in the City of Poughkeepsie offers a fresh opportunity to showcase the festival with stunning views of the Hudson River and its iconic bridges, while continuing to support our vendors and welcome attendees from across the region.”

“The Walkway’s Mayfest Farmers and Makers Market is a magnificent event, simply because it features great Hudson Valley products, from food to the arts, in such a splendid setting,” said City of Poughkeepsie Mayor Yvonne Flowers.  “We are pleased Friends of the Walkway has moved this event to its new location in Waryas Park, bringing more people down to our riverfront. This is precisely what the city is aiming to do, and having partners like the Friends is making our goal more achievable. Come down to the park that weekend and on Monday and enjoy all the activities and exhibits!”

Mayfest Connects to Walkway Over the Hudson

Pair your Mayfest experience with a walk across the iconic Walkway Over the Hudson. Free, docent-led tours of the historic bridge built in 1889 originate from Waryas Park each day at 12:30, 1:30, 2:30, and 3:30 p.m. Free shuttle service is available from Parker Avenue and Washington Street directly to the event entrance.

Sample Top Local Wines, Beers, and Spirits

For guests 21 and older, every $5 Mayfest ticket includes wine, beer, cider, and spirits tastings from more than 30 local purveyors.  In addition, enjoy special experiences like wine pours and outdoor games at the City Winery Backyard, hourly rotating cocktails at The Governess, and freshly-poured pints from a retrofitted 1970s German fire truck by Catskill Tap & Ladder.

Grab A Bite To Eat

Enjoy diverse bites from top Hudson Valley restaurants and food trucks, including options for vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free diets. Highlights include decadent delicacies from Little Loaf Bake Shop and Anna et Pierre – Le Café, barrel pickles from Jersey Pickles, as well as global cuisines including Mexican, Puerto Rican, Jamaican, British, and Filipino flavors – plus fair favorites like ice cream, funnel cakes, cotton candy, and more.

Live Music All Weekend Long

Mayfest’s central stage will feature a full lineup of top local bands spanning genres from rock and pop to jazz, folk, and country playing the hits all weekend long. Some of the talent performing include Dylan Doyle, Juicebox, and 7he 7eam.

Fun For the Whole Family…Even The Dog!

Children 12 and under get into Mayfest for free and can enjoy arts and crafts; hands-on activities; and meet and greets with their favorite mascots, superheroes, and princesses. Pets are welcome on a four-foot non-retractable leash and will love the special pet vendor area with treats, apparel, and accessories. Be sure to stop by Central Bark and Furever Friends Family, who will be on-site with fun giveaways and activities for your furry companions!

Home and Lifestyle Vendors

Mayfest features a variety of home and lifestyle vendors offering solutions for your space. Stop by Leaf Filter Gutter Protection, Mister Solar Guy, and Renewal by Andersen (Huff N’ Puff) to learn about energy-efficient upgrades, home improvements, and exclusive event offers.

Take the Train

Waryas Park is just a short walk from the Poughkeepsie Train Station, making Metro-North Railroad a comfortable and convenient way to access Mayfest. For guests who require extra assistance, a handicapped-accessible shuttle will be available from the station parking lot to the event site.

“Metro-North is pleased to partner with Mayfest as our next-door neighbor along the Poughkeepsie riverfront for Memorial Day weekend,” said Metro-North President Justin R. Vonashek. “Our Hudson Line trains are the frequent and reliable way to travel to Poughkeepsie, where Mayfest is only a block away. Metro-North has affordable off-peak and family fares, and we have space on-board for the purchases and souvenirs you’ll pick up at Mayfest. There’s no more beautiful, relaxing way to travel to Poughkeepsie and back home than on our Hudson Line. Check the MTA TrainTime app or mta.info/schedules for train times and fares.”

Tickets On Sale Now

To avoid long lines during the event, purchase tickets in advance. To get yours and see the complete list of vendors, entertainment, frequently asked questions, and more, visit walkway.org/mayfest, where Information about parking, accessibility, and shuttle bus transportation is also available.

Thank You To Our Sponsors

Mayfest is presented by Friends of the Walkway in partnership with the City of Poughkeepsie.

We’re grateful for the generous support of our sponsors, including Nuvance Health, Chestnut Market, Optum, Alpha Win, Rutberg Breslow Personal Injury Law, City Winery, WMC Health, and Metro-North Railroad.

On-site sponsor activations include a tote bag giveaway from Rutberg Breslow Personal Injury Law, a special nursing area for new mothers hosted by Nuvance Health and staffed with on-site lactation consultants, exciting raffles and giveaways from Chestnut Market, and much more.

For a full list of sponsors, visit walkway.org/mayfest. To learn about current sponsorship opportunities, contact Jami Anson at [email protected].