The famous Esopus Spitzenberg apple was discovered in the 18th Century in this Hudson River town. The Spitzenberg was reputed to be Thomas Jefferson’s favorite and noted for its spicy flavor. Herman Melville wrote about the famous local apple variety in Bartleby, the Scrivener: “Copying law-papers being proverbially a dry, husky sort of business, my two scriveners were fain to moisten their mouths very often with Spitzenburgs, to be had at the numerous stalls nigh the Custom House and Post office.”
Also on the 24th of September is the 41st annual Apple Festival at the Esopus United Methodist Church – an event that counters Saugerties’ Hudson Valley Garlic Festival with sweetness. If the idea of an entire day devoted to apples sounds right up your alley, you can start your day with apple pancakes at 8 a.m., buy some pies for a midafternoon snack and get yourself in the right frame of mind for a roast beef dinner likely to include apples in one form or another.
The Town’s bicentennial celebration culminates in the grand finale event on Saturday, October 1 at Town Hall. Early in the afternoon, bus tours led by Dan Terpenning and Mike Minor will give people a sense of Esopus’ history, and at 2 p.m., artist tugboats previously displayed throughout the town will be auctioned off. Finally, from 2 to 5 p.m., “A Taste of Esopus” will feature a farmers’ market, cooking demonstrations, samples from local restaurants and possibly advice on how to make alterations to your trousers after eating all that delicious food.
An art exhibit of historical paintings, photographs and ephemera is ongoing at Town Hall and runs through October 31. For more information, visit www.esopus.com/bic_events.html.
Post a Comment