Picture a moist bottomland trail, hemmed in by wetland and aquatic plants, shrouded in mist. As the tide comes in, the trail disappears under a gentle rush of water. At the end of the trail, a half-mile offshore, stands a lighthouse, marooned for several hours as it is each day by a foot or so of tidal waters.

It sounds almost like a fairy tale. But the Saugerties Lighthouse is real - and is kept alive by a committed group of enthusiasts known as the Saugerties Lighthouse Conservancy. At its upcoming Between the Tides Festival - so named because it takes place between the daily flooding of the access trail on Sunday, August 24th from 2-7 p.m. - the Conservancy welcomes visitors to the Lighthouse for a celebration of food, music and maritime beauty.

The Festival is a family-friendly, all-ages event that raises funds to support the continued preservation of the Lighthouse. It offers visitors live music, dancing, food and drinks. The music will be supplied by local performers such as R. V. Henniger and Friends, Karen Whitman and Rick Pantell and Yankee Rose. The food will consist of summer barbecue fare grilled up on-site with appetizers, side dishes and desserts provided by Mezzaluna, Café Tamayo, The Pig and other local restaurants. In addition to the festivities, swimming is available just to the north of the Lighthouse, and the structure itself will be open for tours throughout the day.

Admission to the Festival is $25 per person, $40 per couple, $20 per senior citizen and free of charge for children under 12 years old; all food, music and activities are included. Tickets can be purchased the day of the event or in advance by phone at (845) 247-0656. Those with mobility impairments should call the same number to arrange for boat transportation to the Festival. All others will arrive via the half-mile walking trail. Kayaks are welcome, and there is limited dockage available for private boats. No pets are permitted the day of the event.

A couple days later, on Tuesday, August 26, the Lighthouse will host a performance by folk musician Christopher Bell. Bell, a resident of Jamestown in western New York, has spent the past several weeks traveling by canoe the length of New York State. He started in Buffalo and is following the Erie Canal to its end, then heading south on the Hudson to a September 3 performance in Manhattan. His canoe docks at the Saugerties Lighthouse for a night, when he will strum his ukulele and play his harmonica for an audience gathered in the magical lighthouse setting. The event begins at 8 p.m. and is free. Note, however, that the trail to the Lighthouse is unlit and will be covered in several inches of water at the time of the performance's end. Bring a flashlight and be prepared to wade on the way out.

For more information on either event - including detailed directions - or to learn more about the Saugerties Lighthouse, check out the Conservancy's thorough website at www.saugertieslighthouse.com.