Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.–T. Roosevelt

When we started the Sharon Springs Harvest Festival 4 years ago, we dreamed it to be an occasion to celebrate the harvest from our local farmers and a day to bring the community together.   The first  year we were thrilled when 500 people showed up to the one day event.  Last year, imagine our surprise when over 8000 people over two days came to visit our little village.  Why?  No other reason than it’s a weekend to acknowledge what is good about small town America.  We want you to come by and say ‘hi’ to everyone.

You can check back to this page as we add details about this year’s event.  If you are interested in becoming a vendor at this year’s festival, visit enjoysharonsprings.com to submit a vendor application.  For questions call Joe Todd Campbell:  518.284.2884

Check back here frequently as new events will be added right up until the last minute!

 

Friday, Sept 14

10:00-4:00pm–Check out  Pictures from an Exhibition, a retrospective of photographs by Leila Durkin  on display at the Village Hall Gallery on Main Street

6:00pm-10:00pm–Harvest Feast featuring all locally sourced ingredients.  Contact the American Hotel at (518) 284-2105 to see if tickets are available.

7:00pm-11:00pm– the second annual Harvest Hop!!  Fire burning on the dance floor!!  Click here for information and tickets

 

At the Farmer’s Market

Harvest Festival was started to honor the rich agricultural history of our area of upstate NY and the Sharon Springs Farmer’s Market, right on Main Street next to the Mercantile, has lots of family activities planned to help celebrate the harvest.

• Learn how to milk a goat just like Farmer John does.  Demos at 11:00 and 3:00 both days
• Horseshoe throwing contest on Saturday at 1:00pm
• Seed spitting contest on Sunday at 1:00pm
• Farm animal petting zoo on Saturday
• Pumpkin painting contest beginning at 10:00 am on Sunday (while pumpkin supplies last!)

-and-

On Saturday only, pray that lady luck is on your side and risk it all on Cow Bingo!

 

 

Saturday, Sept 15

*SCHEDULE CHANGE* 9:45-10AM –Join us near the steps of the Beekman Mercantile where a local officiant will offer a short, non-denominational Harvest Thanksgiving Blessing to kick off the Festival. All are welcome.

9:00-5:00pm–Harvest Festival in the Village of Sharon Springs. With over a hundred craftsmen, farmers, artisanal food and displays and the village’s participating galleries, shops and businesses will be featuring exhibitions, sales and demonstrations.  Be sure to check out tinsmith Chris Ottoman demonstrating his craft on the steps of Cobbler & Co

Visit BANK, the art exhibition space at 204 Main, for a special exhibit by our B. 1802 blacksmith, Michael McCarthy.  Click here for more information.  FREE

Visit Spring House Spa for a special exhibit on the history of the spas in Sharon Springs.  SHARON SPRINGS:  A LANDSCAPE OF MEMORY is a photographic exhibit by artist Dore Gardener featuring images of Sharon Springs taken in our village in the years leading up to the closing of the once world-famous baths in 2005.  These selections reflect the artist’s perspective on Sharon Springs “as a Jewish resort that is now a landscape of memory.”  The exhibit is a perfect complement to the permanent installation of photographs featured in the Historic Spa Gallery, showcasing images of Sharon Springs from 1860-1960.  All are welcome.  FREE

10:00-4:00pm–Tour of Beekman Farm (SOLD OUT).  To eliminate issues with parking, there is a shuttle to and from the farm that picks up and drops off at the steps of The Mercantile.

11:00am & 2pm–ever watched A River Runs Through It and wish you could fish with Brad Pitt?  Get one step closer?  Come for a free dry-casting lesson by world-renowned fly fisherman, JP Ross.  Everyone will get a chance to try!   Meet in front of the Mercantile

2:00pm–Walking architectural tours of Historic Sharon Springs led by our town historian. Click here for ticket information.  Space is limited.

3:oo-5:00pm– a special screening of the powerful documentary film, The First Season.  Filmmaker Rudd Simmons producer of The Royal Tenenbaums, Dead Man Walking, High Fidelity, Boardwalk Empire, and The Road) followed new farmers Phyllis and Paul van Amburgh as they start up an organic dairy farm (the one right next door to Beekman Farm!)  It’s a powerful look at what it takes to bring good food to our tables.  Paul and Phyllis will be on hand for Q & A after the screening and to provide samples of the grass fed beef from their farm, Dharma Lea.   In the community room of the Sharon Springs Free Library.  FREE

Taking time out to watch this film will put the entire Harvest Festival into perspective and make everything you experience this weekend that much more powerful.

4:00-7:00pm–a fund-raising dinner for ALS “Doing it for Dodi”–spaghetti and (all the good will you can eat) for only $8 for adults and $5 for kids.  At the firehouse

5:30pm-10:00pm–An Authentic Pig Roast!–if you missed out on tickets to the Harvest Feast, you can still taste the best of the local harvest when the Sharon Tavern hosts and pig picking using locally raised and cultivated ingredients. Live music.  Please book ahead by calling (518) 284-2354

6:00pm-10:00pm–Harvest Feast featuring all locally sourced ingredients (SOLD OUT)

7:00pm-11:00pm–Country Harvest Picnic on the labyrinth of My Sisters’ Place Café.  A fun evening of local, fresh food from My Sisters’ Place, Serenity Valley Farms & the Black Cat, music, games, and more.   Reservations strongly recommended – call: 518.284.3421 or e-mail info@mysisterscafe.com

 

LIVE MUSIC THROUGHOUT THE VILLAGE SPONSORED BY THE SHARON SPRINGS CITIZEN COUNCIL OF THE ARTS

 

Sunday, Sept 16

 

10:00am:  Please join us at 204 Main Street for a traditional Native American thanksgiving address.  The Mohawk tribe once populated this valley.  The blessing of the harvest, Ohen:ten Kariwehtehkwen,  means “the words that come before all else.” Simply put, this is recognition of the importance of all things on Earth.

9:00-5:00pm–Harvest Festival in the Village of Sharon Springs. With over a hundred craftsmen, farmers, artisanal food and displays and the village’s participating galleries, shops and businesses will be featuring exhibitions, sales and demonstrations.  Be sure to check out tinsmith Chris Ottoman demonstrating his craft on the steps of Cobbler & Co

10:00-4:00pm–Tour of Beekman Farm (SOLD OUT).  To eliminate issues with parking, there is a shuttle to and from the farm that picks up and drops off at the steps of The Mercantile.

6:00pm-10:00pm–Harvest Feast featuring all locally sourced ingredients.  Call The American Hotel to see if tickets are available at (518) 284-2105

 

 All this PLUS special deals from local merchants.  Click here to view all of the Harvest Festival specials!

 

We welcome dogs to enjoy the day with their owners, and the New York House will host a special respite station for dogs and their owners.  Look for the signs pointing the way in the lower village.

 

A rotating shuttle bus will operate continuously on both days between parking lots and festival destinations on Main Street.  Free parking available at the Sharon Springs Central School at the intersection of Route 20 and Route 10

 

Other things to do in Sharon Springs during  your visit

Visit Howe Caverns, one of the most magnificent cavern systems in the world just 12 miles from Sharon Springs.

Take a tour of Brewery Ommegang and see how some of the best Belgium-style beer in the world is made right here in upstate NY. Click here for more info.  And while there check out the nearby The Farmer’s Museum, The Fenimore Art Museum, and The Baseball Hall of Fame

Visit the world-class Arkell Art Museum in Canajoharie and stop by to see the waterfalls in Wintergreen Park

 

Check back soon for a map and itinerary that you can print and carry with you to the festival!