Harvest Festival seeks food vendors

BETHEL, NY — The Harvest Festival at Bethel Woods has openings for a few food vendors for this coming season. The festival will be held on nine consecutive Sundays from August 14 through Columbus Day Weekend at the corner of Hurd and West Shore Roads from 11:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The event is located across from the Woodstock monument, the site of the 1969 Woodstock Festival. It is sponsored by the Gerry Foundation, contractor for the Bethel Woods Center for the Arts scheduled to open in July 2006.

“We’re looking for interesting and specialty foods as well as the traditional hot dogs and soups,” said market manager Jane Axamethy. “This is a good deal for vendors. Our rates are competitive and last year attendance grew by 25% to over 15,000 visitors. This year will be even better.”

The festival features a farmers market, craft village, children’s activities, corn and hay mazes, pony rides and special activities. Booths are protected from the weather, with parking close to the vending area. Everyone excluding pets is welcome. A scarecrow exhibit by local organizations and businesses will offer a cash prize for the most popular scarecrow.

Festival events include: NaCL Busker Experience on August 14; Harvest Wine Festival on August 21; Children’s Harvest Festival with Tom Chapin and Friends on August 28; Alpaca Festival on September 4; Mardi Gras Cajun Festival on September 11; Earth Day in Autumn on September 18; Rustic for the Home on September 25; The Sweet Catskills Festival on October 2 and A Chili Day on October 9.

The craft village has new and returning artists every week. There are still a few spaces available. Regional producers of vegetables, meat, dairy and value-added agricultural products also participate.

Vendors may sign up for one week, three weeks or the entire festival. For an application call 845/295-2440. For other information call Denise Frangipane at 845/295-2448 or visit bethelwoods.us.