In this final month of the summer season of festivals, there is a new entrant into the field: Hudson Summerfest. The family-friendly event will be held at the scenic Henry Hudson Waterfront Park in Hudson on Saturday, August 19 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. (the gates open at 10:30 a.m.). The cost of admission will be tax-deductible, with proceeds benefitting three local nonprofits: the FarmOn! Foundation, the Bindlestiff Family Cirkus and the Hudson Area Library. Tickets cost $25 for adults, $13 for ages 7 to 17 and are free for kids age 6 and under. It’s a rain-or-shine event.
Hudson Summerfest was created by Hudson-based artist, photographer and arts advocate Chad Weckler. He is also the founder of Hudson-Creative (www.hudson-creative.org), a nonprofit designed to provide maker spaces, equipment and a collaborative atmosphere for Hudson Valley artists working in fine art, functional crafts, one-off custom work and small-series manufacturing.
The idea behind Hudson Summerfest is to offer a fun, community-based event that will also raise funds for some worthy organizations: nonprofits that in turn benefit local residents. “In these uncertain times, when funding for meaningful projects is becoming increasingly difficult,” says Weckler, “it’s our responsibility as a community to step up and do what we can to fill that gap.”
Live music at the festival will encompass the genres of swing, bluegrass, rock and jazz. The performers include NRBQ, Too Blue, the Zolla Boys, the Matchstick Architects, Black Mountain Symphony and the Fabulous Versatones. The Bindlestiff Family Cirkus will be on hand, interacting with festivalgoers and performing on stilts and juggling.
The Hudson Area Library tent will present readings by authors and illustrators, origami demonstrations and collagemaking with Etsy volunteers. Participating authors and illustrators include Jackie Rogers, Barbara and Victor Mojica, James Preller, Tara Crowl, Elizabeth Zunon and Esme Shapiro. There will also be a craft-and-makers tent with a showcase of local artisan work.
The FarmOn! Foundation, which is all about raising awareness of food choices and sources and encouraging young people to choose farming as a career, will offer a diverse menu of locally sourced food and drinks for purchase. Free food- and drink-tastings will also be available in and around the festival grounds.
Hudson Summerfest, Saturday, August 19, 11 a.m.-7 p.m., $25/$13 youth, Henry Hudson Waterfront Park, 1 Water Street Road, Hudson; www.hudsonsummerfest.com.
Join the family! 
