Summer pastimes

A salute to our finned friends

LIVINGSTON MANOR, NY — The animal that makes this area a mecca for fly-fishermen—the trout—provides the theme and inspiration for Livingston Manor’s annual Trout Parade, scheduled this year for Saturday, June 12 from 11:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The parade has gained a reputation for costumes and floats that are as wacky and inventive as they are gorgeous.

It will be led by Grand Marshall Austin “Mac” Francis, author of “Land of Little Rivers,” and town supervisor Edward Weitmann, the day’s honorary Sturgeon General. There will also be an arts and crafts fair, specialty foods from local vendors, children’s activities and discounts and special offers from participating merchants.

Pre-parade entertainment will include stilt walking by Tannis Kowalchuk of NACL, fiddlers from Catskill Puppet Theatre, Karen Hudson of Karen Hudson River Band and face painting by Miss Sunshine. Visit troutparade.com or call 845/436-4227.

Farm history on wheels

CALLICOON, NY — When it comes to small-town celebrations of country life, this weekend packs a one-two punch: one day after Livingston Manor’s Trout Parade, honoring the finned friends who make our area a hotspot for anglers, comes Callicoon’s annual Tractor Parade, a rolling display of the venerable machines that have helped keep agricultural life humming on our area farms for over 100 years. In past years, the parade has boasted vehicles built as far back as 1901. The parade steps—or rolls—off at 12:00 noon, and is followed by a chicken barbeque and entertainment at the Delaware Community Center. This year’s parade leader is Tonjes Farm, from the Beechwoods in Callicoon. Representing the farm will be Tim Jr. and his mother, Mary Tonjes.

If you want to start the day early, join the community for a pancake breakfast at the Callicoon Fire Department from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. A special postmark commemorating the event will also be available (see page 11). Call 845/887-4444.

Landscapes at BlueStone

MILFORD, PA — Photographer Jim Wallace taught environmental biology and outdoor education for nine years before pursuing his dream of landscape photography. According to Wallace, that teaching experience, in which he encouraged an awareness of the natural world in others, sharpened his own sensitivity to that world. It shows in his works, like the one shown here, a number of which you’ll be able to view at an exhibit at the BlueStone Gallery from Friday, June 11 to Friday, June 18. There will be an artist’s reception on June 12 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Visit bluestonegallerymilford.com or call 570/296-9999.

Arts & Crafts Fair

HAWLEY, PA — Over 90 vendors with unique handcrafted jewelry, paintings, lawn ornaments, quilts, home décor and more will descend on Hawley’s Bingham Park for the Pocono Lake Region Chamber of Commerce’s Arts & Crafts Fair on Saturday, June 12. The fair will run from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and admission is free. Call 570/226-3191.

Accentuate the negative

PORT JERVIS, NY — Look closely, and you’ll see that this image, titled “Beth,” is composed of many small film negatives. It is the work of New Zealand artist Francis Paul, who will is the focus of the current exhibit at the UpFront Exhibition Space at 31 Jersey Avenue called “Proof of Life.” In the exhibit, images are created using obsolete film negatives, acrylic paint and board. Paul will also do work on commission using your own film negatives, with prices starting at $225 depending on the size. More of Paul’s work can be see at frances-paul.blogspot.com. The exhibit will run through July 31. Gallery hours are Thursday through Sunday from 12:00 noon to 5:00 p.m. For more information call 845/856-2727.

Open-air cinema

LIBERTY, NY — You can combine a night at the movies with the great outdoors at Liberty’s Sunset Series: Movies in the Park at Dark, shown in LaPolt Park on North Main Street every Saturday night from now to September 11. The films chosen are appropriate for all ages, so you can make it a family evening out. The next film shown will be “Alice in Wonderland,” the 2010 fantasy adventure starring Johnny Depp and directed by Tim Burton.

The Sunset Series is a collaboration of the Liberty Community Development Corporation, the Liberty Public Library, the Town of Liberty Parks and Recreation Department and Floyd and Bobo’s Bakery and Snack Palace. Some of the movies coming up include “The Wizard of Oz,” “Batman Begins,” “Wall*E” and “Chicken Run.” Visit libertychamber.org .

Firemen on trikes

WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, NY — Ever seen a fireman pedaling a tricycle around a race course? You’ll have a chance at a Trike-a-thon and yard sale held on Saturday, June 12 at Fireman’s Park. The White Sulphur Springs Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary is holding the full-day event to raise funds for a new playground planned at Firemen’s Park, and the kids will have a chance to show off their prowess on the racetrack, too. The children’s Trike-a-thon will start at 11:00 a.m., with children from two to 12, sponsored on a per-lap or flat-fee basis, riding laps around the course at the park. Registration forms will be available at Green’s, the post office and the White Sulphur Springs Inn. The firemen will set off at 12:00 noon. Sponsor your favorite fireman by going to the inn (see the bartender). For more information email Amanda at speer2b@yahoo.com or call 845/292-0796.

Your three minutes of fame

NARROWSBURG, NY — Aspiring video artists will have an opportunity to strut their stuff at the Quick & Gritty Video Slam, part of the DIGit festival scheduled for Friday through Sunday, June 18 through 20, at venues all over Narrowsburg. The slam is a competition of three-minute videos that will be screened on June 20 at 12:00 noon at the Tusten Theatre. The winning video will receive a $500 cash prize.

All final pieces must be one to three minutes in length, must have been created entirely during the DIGit festival, must have been shot in the hamlet of Narrowsburg and must be submitted on DVD to the Tusten Theatre by 11:00 a.m. on June 20. Works will be judged live on-site. Visit ArtsAllianceSite.org or call 845/252-7576.