By Mark Reynolds / Southern Ulster Times

Thousands of visitors flocked to the outdoor ‘Walktoberfest Essential Farmer’s Market’ that was hosted by the Friends of the Walkway Over the Hudson and the Hudson Valley Rail Trail Association. People could purchase a variety of farm fresh produce, tasty baked goods, Caribbean foods, wines & spirits, gourmet nut specialties, honey, as well as crafts made by artisans selling hand made candles, scarfs, cork handbags, jewelry, colorfully painted gourds and skin care products. A number of not for profits were on hand that have been helping the community by providing meals to families impacted by cancer or other illnesses.

Peter Bellizzi, President of the Hudson Valley Rail Trail Association, said Walktoberfest is a 50/50 split with the Walkway organization. He called the attendance, “pretty incredible” and “the whole idea was to get people out in a safe environment because since March they’ve been tied up.”

Jami Anson worked tirelessly to put Walktoberfest together, pointing out that this event was the first true partnership between the Rail Trail and the Walkway.

“It’s wonderful; first off you have this whole community driven event that helps out vendors and the community get out in the open air,” she said. “It’s just a fantastic weekend and this is our anniversary of the Walkway, the day that it opened 11 years ago. So every weekend this year is special to us.”

Rail Trail member Eric Norberg also helped to bring this event to fruition, with Anson saying, “It’s just such a happy event. The energy has been so spectacular.”

Both Anson and Norberg plan on continuing Walktoberfest next year, with Norberg adding, “This is a keeper.”

Read complete article, via Southern Ulster Times

Aerial Photo By Ethan Thompson