The founding fish rules the weekend

Photos and story by LAURIE STUART
Posted 5/25/22

UPPER DELAWARE RIVER VALLEY — In what was undoubtedly a preview of the frenzy of the 2022 summer season, Shadfest 2022 showcased activities from Port Jervis to Hancock and everywhere in …

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The founding fish rules the weekend

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UPPER DELAWARE RIVER VALLEY — In what was undoubtedly a preview of the frenzy of the 2022 summer season, Shadfest 2022 showcased activities from Port Jervis to Hancock and everywhere in between. Fort Delaware hosted its grand reopening under the management of the Delaware Company. There, colonial-living demonstrations met with a historic car show and a history lesson on how the fort was part of the 1950s and ’60s phenomenon of roadside attractions. The documentary “Shad Run” told the story of the reintroduction of shad in the Potomac River, and the feature film “A River Runs Through It” played to audiences in Hancock and Callicoon. Mike “Rocket Train” Edison presented his “Gospel from the Garage,” an eclectic electrified set featuring love and gospel, complete with a light show and electronic reverb, perfectly timed for Sunday morning. Melissa Gilbert fans were delighted to get autographed copies of her new book. There were rave reviews of the shad-cooking demonstrations and the live music had everyone’s feet tapping. Festival-goers danced the night away at Fort Delaware on Saturday night, and the end-of-the-run disco had everyone on their feet at the Tusten Theater on Sunday evening.

There was a children’s story hour in Port Jervis and a whole host of activities in Hancock’s Town Square. General Jerk, beneath  Barryville General, debuted its jerk chicken, with rice and beans, collard greens and sweet plantains on the side. Across the river in Shohola, the Green Farmacy held a grand opening for its new second-floor store on Richardson Avenue. Chiropractors Dr. Lorraine Spinard and Dr. Nadege Hoeper held an open house and a series of health talks on the site.

“It was so great that we were able to pull together all of these events,” said John Pizzolato, one of the key organizers of the soon-to-be-annual extravaganza, which was all about collaborations and concoctions that highlight the diversity and vibrancy of the Upper Delaware.

The festival was made possible with grant funding from the Sullivan County Legislature, in partnership with the Sullivan County Visitors Association and the Upper Delaware Scenic Byway.

Upper Delaware, summer season, Shadfest 2022, Fort Delaware, John Pizzolato, Sullivan County Legislature, Sullivan County Visitors Association

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