Dave Wright, president of the Red Hook Rotary Club, says that there used to be a lot of apple farms in the surrounding area, but not so many these days. That won’t keep spirits down when the Village of Red Hook celebrates the onset of spring the old-fashioned way: with an old-fashioned country fair that includes music, food, a craft show and flea market and tons of fun. The Apple Blossom Festival takes place on Saturday, May 7 from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m., come rain or shine. Centrally located in the heart of town, festivities will spread south on Route 9, where local churches will turn their lawns into open-air markets.

Come hungry and enjoy your favorite “fair food” like kettle corn, fried dough, sausage and peppers, burgers, lemonade, cotton candy and lots more. Many of the local merchants will have tables of goodies and merchandise out on the sidewalks. And a stage located in the municipal parking lot will be the happening spot with four country and country/rock bands: Donny Parker’s 4 Gun Ridge, Rich Bala of the Baladeers, URU and Red Hook Youth Band, plus the Irish dance troupe Solas an Lae. Kids won’t want to miss the pony rides, face-painting, bounce house and lots of other family stuff.

Organized by Red Hook Rotary, the Apple Blossom Festival will get your spring started at long last! Call (845) 758-0824 for further information.