As street fairs go, the historic Rosendale Street Festival ranks high on many categorical lists: as a small-town event that literally closes the primary thoroughfare for an entire weekend of communitywide celebration; as a grassroots citizen-organized happening that includes practically every business in town; as a joyous conglomeration of multiple bands and entertainment ops on no fewer than six stages; and this year, something new: the addition of “The Hudson Valley Short Flix Fest,” a lineup of locally produced short films curated by the Rosendale Theatre Collective and shown at our own hometown theatre. Also added this year is a special art station for kids facilitated by local artists Susan and Bryan Perrin.

Held on Main Street in historic Rosendale each July, the Festival benefits the local community and the mid-Hudson Valley as a whole. Boosting both the economy and communal sociability as friends and families come out to listen to great music, the weekend marks the season with an experience uniquely Rosendale. Any proceeds that the coordinating group realizes from the event are dedicated to help fund scholarships for music summer camps for area youth, to help provide special-needs instruments for qualified area students and to provide scholarships to area youth attending music schools. Last year the Rosendale Street Festival used funds to sponsor the Kingston Jazz Invitational at J. Watson Bailey Middle School in April for a daylong series of workshops, master classes, rehearsals and performances that pair student ensembles and musicians with the professional jazz musicians of the Hudson Valley Jazz Orchestra.

Musician and Festival chairman Charlie Knicely says, “In light of the economic difficulties the country is facing, we are proud to be moving ahead with this year’s Street Festival and even presenting new and exciting events. I would like to mention that the Festival is a donation-supported event that needs the support of everyone if we are going to keep providing this wonderful weekend of music, food and vendors. So please be generous when you enter the Festival, and make sure you tell all your family and friends that they need to witness this amazing volunteer-produced event. It’s one of the Northeast’s greatest treasures.”

The grand schedule of entertainment kicks off at noon on Saturday, July 23 with Fuzzy Lollipop, Sweet Island, Cathy Young, Peter Morrison and Tulula! and rolls on through the day with the Shoe String Band, Victoria Levy, Marji Zintz, Ross Rice’s Very Sexy Trio, PainMask, Kenny and the Eggplants, the Broad Band, David Longendyke, Connor Kennedy, Antidote 8, Ratboy, Jr., the Saints of Swing, Larrama, the Trapps, Oryan, the Spiral Up Kids, Jim Barbaro & the Magnetics, Sarah Kramer, Harrison, Soul Purpose, Pitchfork Militia, Cleoma’s Ghost, the Smoking Aces Band, Joff Entin and Bob Blum, Homemade Rockets, the Big Heavy, the Percussion Orchestra of Kingston a/k/a POOK, Trio Mio, iS, Neil Alexander, the Virginia Wolves, Zumbi Zumbi, Tim Whalen and Mr. Oh, Johnny Monster, Billy Reed and the Street People and Hart Attack.

On Sunday, July 24 at noon, the music continues with the Happy Nahs, Melinda DiMaio and Wally Nichols, the Di-Cross Band, David Kraai & Amy Laber, Kidz Town Rock, BobKat, C. B. Smith, U-R-U, David Kraai & the Saddle Tramps, the New Raszberry Bandits, Gypsy Jazz, Don Haynie, the Rubber Band, the Kurt Henry Band, Grenadilla, Lara Hope and the Champtones, Vickie Russell, Grey Horizon, Marc Von Em, Dog on Fleas, Shorty King’s Clubhouse, BarrellHouse, Sabor con Colour, Erin Hobson, Fre Atlast and Birds of a Feather, Breakaway, 4 Gun Ridge, Joey Eppard and Mr. Rusty. At 5:45 p.m., Fre Atlast and the Community Drum Ensemble will lead a grand parade from the Family Stage to the Mountain Stage, where Voodelic will close the festival. The “Hudson Valley Short Flix Fest” begins at 3 p.m. both days.

One street, two days, six stages, 74 bands plus numerous crafts and food vendors and community camaraderie all make the Rosendale Street Festival one of the best things about summer! To learn more about the event, make a much-appreciated donation or volunteer to work at the event, visit www.RosendaleStreetFestival.org.