Last year's Taste of the Catskills festival. Photo via the Taste of the Catskills website.
Whatever defines the Catskills for you – food, livestock, music, authentic agricultural settings – it’s likely that some version of it can be found at Taste of the Catskills Festival in Delhi this weekend.
An all-day affair spanning both Saturday and Sunday, the festival will be attended by dozens of vendors showcasing regional food and crafts ranging from alpacas and Amish barns to beer and charcuterie.
The festival's host is Maple Shade Farm, a working, family-operated concern with ample space to accommodate children’s games, a stage for a variety of musical acts, and even a diamond for vintage baseball, which will be played on Sunday at 3pm.
Workshops on the craft of farming, brewing, and wine-making will run both days.
The organizers emphasize the kid-friendly environment. There will be age-appropriate music, games, races, fire trucks, and entertainers, ideally giving parents ample opportunity to browse, learn, shop, and taste.
This being a working farm, food plays the central role: Each night, a buffet dinner will be served and paired with local wine and beer. A bonfire and dancing will follow, and the piece de resistance each night will be a fireworks show. Although there is no extra fee for the fireworks, festival organizers will pass the hat; all donations will be funneled to the Village of Delhi pool fund.
A word of advice: Food tickets sold out quickly last year. If you are looking for a meal, making an online reservation is strongly encouraged.
If you prefer to take your taste of the region at harvest time, the Festival will roll out again on October 8 and 9.
Taste of the Catskills Festival, Maple Shade Farm, 2066 County Highway 18, Delhi, NY, 13753. info@tasteofthecatskills.com. Saturday, July 2 and Sunday, July 3, starting at 10 am, rain or shine. Admission $5 per day; dinner both nights $20 adults, $10 kids 12 and under.
