Kingston’s Hutton Brickyards is getting set for another summer season that will feature expanded facilities, riverside “glamping” and a food festival showcasing regional cuisine.
Los Angeles-based MWest purchased the former Hutton Brickyard on Kingston’s Hudson River waterfront back in 2015. Since then, the company has worked to transform the once-ragged former industrial site into a scenic event venue for everything from weddings and corporate retreats to craft shows and rock concerts. Last year, following a season that included the Smorgasburg food festival and a pair of concerts by music icon Bob Dylan, the Kingston Planning Board approved a five-year special use permit to allow the company to continue operating the venue.
Since last summer, the company has added a number of upgrades and expansions intended to create a more user-friendly site. According to MWest CEO Karl Slovin, the changes include a doubling of parking spaces to provide 1,000 spots, expanded restroom facilities, the addition of permanent bars, dressing rooms, office space and a prep kitchen. Slovin added that the Brickyard had also undertaken a major landscaping project to “green up and soften” the look of the site. Slovin said much of the work had been informed by missteps and growing pains experienced over the past two summer seasons. Among the changes is the replacement of Smorgasburg — a popular Brooklyn-based food festival — with a new, produced-in-house event called “Hutton Fare.”
Slovin said the concept came about after Smorgasburg announced that it would discontinue its run at the brickyard to focus on larger events in New York City.
“The decision was taken that we would bring in some event consultants and learn from everything that went on last year to make it bigger, faster and stronger,” said Slovin.
The show will eliminate Smorgasburg’s craft element to focus solely on hot prepared food and packaged food products from the Hudson Valley. The event will take place over the weekends of July 21-22, Aug. 18-19, Sept. 15-16 and Oct. 20-21. Hutton Brickyards is currently soliciting applications from potential vendors.
“The Hudson Valley is renowned for its handmade, fresh, local food and drinks,” said Slovin. “We are looking forward to showcasing those items in this one-of-a-kind community experience.”
In addition to the food festival, the brickyard will host the return of “Field and Supply,” a high-end craft fair curated by New York City designer Brad Ford on Columbus Day weekend. The brickyard, said Slovin, has also added high end camping experiences — known as “glamping” to its offerings. MWest has partnered with Brooklyn-based Terra Glamping for the effort. The company provides roomy tents outfitted with queen-sized beds, carpets and furnishings along with equally luxurious dining and lounge accommodations. Slovin said the glamping company would allow the brickyard to host overnight guests for weddings and other events.
“It essentially allows us to create a seasonal hotel starting in the late spring and running into the fall,” said Slovin.
Join the family! 
