Ever since I was a child, in the late 1800s, I’ve enjoyed a good festival. It’s probably traceable to my father, who with his buddies planned the East Side Businessman’s Festival and Carnival in Madison, WI each year, where I once rode the on the same Ferris wheel as Rosemary Kennedy. I still enjoy a closed-off street, local vendors and a sizzling food truck. Wigstock. The Feast of St. Gennaro. A hot dog cart blocking 8th Avenue. It’s just fun. 

Imagine my delight in ending up in Narrowsburg, NY. Don’t tell Cochecton, but we’re the home of the best festivals in Sullivan County—and the 2025 season promises to be better than ever.

The Deep Water Literary Festival will be taking over town the weekend of June 21, with a theme of “Metamorphosis and Transformation.” Wonderful parties, insightful seminars, engaging readings, performances and literary parties rivaling the best of Gatsby await. In the past, local luminaries such as William Yukikazu Fellenberg have been joined by celebrated creators William Wegman and Joyce Carol Oates, among others. Original theater pieces have included performances by Alan Cumming and Tilda Swinton. As always, local writers from Yarnslingers will close the festival at 4 p.m. on Sunday, June 23 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church.

Visit www.deepwaterfestival.com for schedule information as it develops. Discover why the New York Times calls this “an epic literary festival.”

Only your imagination can limit what this year might offer. 

Those adoring Huck Finn and Tom Sawyer might find worlds colliding on July 27 at the 35th annual Riverfest, sponsored by the Delaware Valley Arts Alliance. Riverfest celebrates ecology, the arts and all the things the river brings to our community.

As always, the best morning of the summer opens the festival, when our local Totos, Cliffords and Lassies are given the chance to strut their stuff at the Riverfest Dog Parade. In the past, Narrowsburg has seen the most beautiful canines this side of Pennsylvania (where the dogs are sadly known to be genetically inferior) for a veritable fashion catwalk.

Or in this case, dog walk. 

Costumed past pooches have included ballerinas, Superman and Hairy Potter. Be sure to attend, as legendary puppy emcee Kevin McDonough leads the competition to crown best in show. How will the judges decide?

Other Riverfest traditions include local performances, a poster auction featuring original art, local vendors and handicrafts and food trucks. Details for the festival offer something for everyone, and are always evolving. 

Check for the latest news at www.delawarevalleyartsalliance.org/riverfest/.

Festival season always creates special, one-of-a-kind memories. Bring the kids, an empty stomach and a healthy appetite for fun. And remember, Deep Water and Riverfest are only the beginning. Honeybees and Lumberjacks await.