The Happening This Weekend In Beacon Email Is Out! (8/28/16)
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Exhibit of the Newburgh-Beacon Ferry Now Open - But First, Did You Take the Ferry Yet?
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PLANNING FOR THE NEWBURGH FERRY EXHIBIT:
“This Way to the Ferry” Exhibit
Sundays 1-4 pm, through Dec. 31, 2016
$5 suggested donation
The Crawford House
189 Montgomery Street, Newburgh
845-561-2585; www.newburghhistoricalsociety.com
Many locals are likely aware of the cute blue and white ferry that chugs back and forth between Beacon and Newburgh multiple times each weekday. It's the official Newburgh-Beacon Ferry that roared back to life in 2005 after being taken out of the water when the Newburgh-Beacon bridge was built, and it is in the spotlight right now at the Newburgh Historical Society, who has the ferry's history on display at their headquarters at The Crawford House.
The Newburgh-Beacon Ferry as it approaches the Beacon dock from Newburgh. Photo Credit: Katie Hellmuth Martin
Most of the ferry riders are commuters from the west side of the Hudson River who have opted out of driving to New York City. Instead of driving over the bridge and trying to snag a coveted parking spot at the Beacon Metro-North train station, they hop on the ferry and arrive on the Beacon side, just steps from the local and express trains that will whisk them into New York City for work.
Any seat on the ferry has a view. The upper deck will get you unobstructed views of rolling hills and mountains. Photo Credit: Katie Hellmuth Martin
Still, savvy adventure-seekers are also discovering that the quick river jaunt (it’s about six to eight minutes) makes for a fun and affordable outing. Whether it’s a romantic rendezvous, capped off with cocktails on the Newburgh waterfront, or just a breezy boat ride with the kids, taking the ferry is a cool way to explore the region.
The boarding dock on the Newburgh side.
Photo Credit: Katie Hellmuth Martin
A one-way fare for an adult is an easy $1.75, and kids under 5 ride for free. Children ages 6 to 11 as well as seniors 62 and older are only $1. The last trip from Newburgh to Beacon is around 8:20pm (always check the train schedule), so plan for an early night if hitting the Newburgh waterfront.
A ferrygoer, verifying the last ferry time, making sure to not miss the boat.
Photo Credit: Katie Hellmuth Martin
The Newburgh-Beacon Ferry runs on the weekdays only, so this is one trip you want to plan during the week. Keep in mind, however, that the ferry schedule is related to the peak-train schedule. The last ferry of the morning/day departs Newburgh at 8:04am, and then pauses for the day. The ferry starts up again with a departure out of Beacon at 5:42pm, and the last ferry returning from Newburgh at 8:24pm. Perhaps if the NY Waterway knew that more passengers wanted to ride the ferry during the day, they would expand their schedule (let them know here). Can you imagine, avoiding all of that bridge traffic to get to Newburgh, and enjoying an easy, breezy ride on the water for six minutes of relaxation? Don't believe me? Watch this video footage from our investigation (and wave to the captain):
“Whenever somebody comes to visit, the first thing that I do is take them down to the ferry,” says Mary McTamaney, the Newburgh City historian. “People are always amazed at how beautiful it is here and they get to see the scope of the river and Newburgh, perched up on the hill.”
The current ferry began service in October 2005, mainly to deal with the overcrowding at the Beacon train station parking lot. But the Newburgh-Beacon ferry actually has a long and storied history as one of the first, and longest-lasting, ferry routes in the country. First established with a charter from King George II in 1743, ferry service continued for 220 years until 1963, when the completion of the Newburgh-Beacon bridge made the ferry obsolete. ... Or so people thought.
Now, the new exhibit at the Crawford House Historical Museum in Newburgh uses photos, paintings, documents, videos, and other memorabilia to bring to life the story of the ferries that were such an integral part of transforming both Newburgh and Beacon into bustling industrial hubs.
What You'll Find at the Exhibit
The one-room exhibit, which is jointly sponsored by the Historical Society of the Newburgh Bay and the Highlands as well as the Beacon Historical Society, covers a lot of ground. It begins with the early days when the first ferries were powered by oars and then horses. Even George Washington and his troops rode the ferries frequently during the War of Independence!
But the bulk of the exhibit focuses on the early part of the 20th century, with intriguing photos of the three main ferry boats of this era: the Orange, the Dutchess, and the Beacon, all of which could carry up to 30 cars (the current ferry only transports people).
Photo Credit: NewburGh historical Society
The Dutchess ferry, carrying cars
Photo Credit: NewburGh historical Society
By the early part of the 20th century, both Newburgh and Beacon had bustling waterfronts. Situated halfway between New York City and Albany, Newburgh was a transportation hub on the river and had dozens of waterside factories producing everything from bricks to lawnmowers to ships. Both the Dutchess and the Orange were built in a Newburgh shipyard. Workers crisscrossed the river via the ferries constantly — either to work in Newburgh or in one of the many Beacon factories that produced hats, bricks, and other wares.
The Ferry at Fishkill Landing. Photo Credit: Newburgh historical Society
The ferry was also a popular river crossing for travelers in the Northeast, as well a social outlet for people of all ages. “Teenagers, families, everybody loved to ride the ferry,” says McTamaney.
The boarding dock today near Long Dock on the Beacon side.
Photo Credit: Katie Hellmuth Martin
The rose-lined walking path to the boarding dock on the Newburgh side.
Photo Credit: Katie Hellmuth Martin
The exhibit highlights lots of fun facts. When the Dutchess made its maiden voyage in 1910, there were separate entrances for men and women. Fares in 1953? Car: 60 cents. Large truck: $2.50. Pedestrians, bikes, baby carriage: 15 cents. By the 1950s, the ferries were running 24 hours a day, and one man recalls spending the entire night in the middle of the river when the Orange became encased in ice: “The boat departed the Newburgh slip at 11:30 pm … Five minutes later and close to mid-stream we really slammed into something which gave us a sudden jolt. We couldn’t see too well but the ice seemed to have piled up almost level with some of the windows.”
Photo Credit: Newburgh Historical Society
Photo Credit: Newburgh Historical Society
Several photos and newspaper articles highlight the historic last day of ferry service: November 3, 1963 — one day after the opening of the Newburgh-Beacon bridge. The Dutchess and the Orange famously saluted each other mid-river on their final run. Captain William Atkins had been a ferry pilot for 41 years and recalls his last trip: “Twenty cars and a handful of passengers, many intent only on getting to Beacon, rode the Dutchess. The ferry’s smoke blew toward the Dutchess County shore. The slip rumbled as the engines started and the boat’s whistle sent up a forlorn goodbye to Newburgh.” The closure of the ferry is reminiscent of how The Little Red Lighthouse felt when the bridge got built above it, but this fear of becoming obsolete became a reality for decades. The resurgence of the ferry since 2005 has corrected that, thanks to the demand from commuters, and perhaps now people seeking an easier way to get to Newburgh than by car. Who knows, maybe with enough requests it will open on the weekend, or even return to running 24 hours a day!
In addition to the exhibit, the Crawford House itself is a must-see. This grand 1830 Neoclassical home simply oozes with historic (albeit musty) charm, featuring stunning river views and an impressive collection of Hudson River School paintings. It was built for Captain David Crawford, a maritime entrepreneur, who played a key role in turning Newburgh into a major shipping and industrial city. Architectural highlights include 40-foot iconic columns, front and rear Palladian windows, and exquisite woodcarvings throughout. In 1958, the Historical Society of Newburgh Bay and the Highlands purchased the house to prevent its demolition for a planned parking lot.
One kink in the perfect planning of going to the ferry exhibit: Visitors cannot take the ferry itself there, as the ferry only runs on weekdays, and this exhibit is open on Sundays from 1 to 4pm until December 31, 2016.
Latest Updates This Week In The Things To Do In Beacon Guides 8-7-2016
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Here's a quick list of what we added to ALBB this week so you can plan ahead. We've also made it easier to follow our Shopping, Beauty, and Restaurant guide sponsors by including their social media links with their listings.
- Catoberfest 2016: Sunday, September 25th at The Hop in Beacon
- Elks Lounge Dance Night: Saturday, August 27th at The Beacon Elks Lodge
- Beacon Craft Workshop: Fall Workshops added
- Fishkill Recreation Center: Fall classes for Artists Corner, Mad Science, Snapology & Babysitting
- Howland Public Library: Yoga for Teens & Tweens, "Unplugged Game Club" (also listed in our Ongoing Events Guide).
- Fall dates for All Sport Health & Fitness have been added.
Weather Forecasts Prompt 2 Popular Events To Move to Rain Dates
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Weather forecasts for rain prompted fundraisers for two popular Hudson Valley events near Beacon to push to their rain dates of Sunday: the Annual Butterfly Festival, and the River Pool at Beacon's Annual Great Newburgh to Beacon Swim.
This isn't the first time this year a major event has pushed to its rain date. The Stiletto Stampede got wet feet the day before their event and moved theirs weeks ago to a new date. Every Friday at 1pm, A Little Beacon Blog sends out our Happening This Weekend email, which highlights the goings on for the weekend, as complied here in our Things To Do In Beacon Guides, which includes the Annual Event Guide. Luckily we received word of the movings of these dates before that email went out! Phew.
If you're not on that email yet, you can get hooked in here, for an easy list you can refer to all weekend.
Latest Updates This Week In The Things To Do In Beacon Guides 7-10-2016
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What's new this week? Take a look around! =D We have have moved into our new home here at ALBB and while we unpack our boxes, we have some pretty neat updates to the Things To Do In Beacon Guides. Here's a quick list of what we added to ALBB this week so you can plan ahead. We've also made it easier to follow our Shopping, Beauty, and Restaurant guide sponsors by including their social media links with their listings.
- The Firefly Feast: 2016 date added for July 30, 2016
- Stiletto Stampede Race Against Cancer: NEW DATE: Sunday, August 13, 2016
- Corn Festival: Sunday, August 14, 2016
- Pumpkin Festival: Sunday, October 16, 2016
NEW GUIDE
We added a new guide to A Little Beacon Blog specifically for ongoing events that happen weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly. Check out our new Ongoing Events guide. We recently added a Potluck at The Beacon Pool every Wednesday!
Pumpkin Patches and Parades 2015: Where To Find Pumpkins & Halloween Events Near Beacon in the Hudson Valley
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UPDATE: For Pumpkins and Parades for 2016, click here
Pumpkins and Parades 2015
The tree leaves are turning, there's a crisp note in the air, and every now and then, we catch a whiff of wood smoke. All signs point to fall. But our autumn wouldn't be complete without some family-friendly Halloween celebrations!
The Hudson Valley has a wealth of spooky fall fun. (Maybe you've heard of a little place called Sleepy Hollow?) Here are some of our favorite events and pumpkin-picking spots, all a little closer to our Beacon home.
Need pumpkin decoratin
g ideas after you collect all of these pumpkins? Consider a couple of our favorites -
, or
using a power drill to make beaded designs
.
Pumpkin Carving Contest
Saturday, October 10, 2015
10 am
Location:
Pavilion at Beacon Memorial Park
Kids 15 and younger can compete for Top Carver in two age divisions (13 to 15, and 12 and under). Parents should supervise children at all times! Supplies will be provided, but are limited. Sign up ahead of time at City Hall. Organizers insist, no professionals, please.
Halloween Parade and Festival
Saturday, October 17, 2015
10 am to 6 pm
Location:
Meiser Park, Wappingers Falls
The second annual festival, in the heart of the village just up Route 9D, will feature a parade, festive food, face-painting, music (an Alice Cooper tribute band, in fact) and a pumpkin patch, among other activities for the whole family.
Beacon Sloop Club Pumpkin Festival
Sunday, October 18, 2015
Noon to 5 pm
Location:
Pe
te and Toshi Seeger Riverfront Park
Volunteers from the Beacon Sloop Club will serve chili, while pumpkin pie and a host of other treats will be available from vendors. Farm-fresh pumpkins will be for sale, too! And, keeping with the spirit of the late, longtime Sloop Club member Pete Seeger, tunes from several local musicians, a
ll set to the backdrop of the mighty Hudson
.
A Very Beacon Halloween: Premier Of Beacon's Dark Parade
Friday, October 23rd, 2015
Locations:
7pm Parade Lineup at Chase Bank
7:30pm Parade begins at Chase Bank, and then ends at The Falls
Enjoy this spooky dark party! Costumes and lights are encouraged, including flashlights or other creative lights that may come with your costume, like a light saber or glowing staff! Being that it's dark and late, this is for adults only. Parade ends at The Hop. Get dinner ideas here in A Little Beacon Blog's Restaurant Guide, and consider making reservations first at any restaurant, as you'll be with several other hungry people.
A Very Beacon Halloween: Psychic Fair
Saturday, October 24th, 2015
12pm to 5pm
Location:
Chill Wine Bar
Treat yourself to tarot and other types of readings from 8 to 10 readers from Notions & Potions. Readings are $25 for 20 minutes of indulgence in your future - if you dare! This event is for adults only.
A Very Beacon Halloween: The Rocky Horror Picture Show and Dance Party!
Saturday, October 24th, 2015
DJ: 7 to 10pm; movie: 10pm to midnight
Location:
St. Rocco's, 26 South Chestnut Street
Boo-gie the night away to a rockin' DJ at St. Rocco's! It's the brick building up the hill on South Chestnut. (You've passed it many times as you drove behind the parking lot for the Yankee Clipper diner or Beacon Flea.) In keeping with The Rocky Horror Picture Show tradition, you should probably dress up! Tickets are $25 at the door and a cash bar is available.
Howl-O-Ween Dog Costume Contest
S
unday, October 25, 2015
11
:30
a
m
Registration at Beacon Barkery, 192 Main Street
12:
0
0pm:
Contest
begins
Location:
Cross Street and Main Stre
et, Beacon (near River Winds Gallery)
Dress up your fur-friend in the cutest costume ever!
Prizes
are award
ed for:
Look Ali
ke
Cutest
Scariest
Most Original
A Very Beacon Halloween: Kid's Hocus Pocus Parade
S
unday, October 25, 2015
12:30 pm
Parade Lineup at the Visitor's Center & Peace Park
(South Avenue/9D and Main Street)
1pm: Parade begins
Location:
Main Stre
et, Beacon
Cost
umed kids start lining up at Peace Park (South Avenue/9D and Main Street) near the Visitor's Center at 12:30 for a parade down Main Street at 1pm. Trick-or-treating at businesses follows the stroll. Don't forget to check in at the
behind the Post Office, too! They'll have some treats for the little goblins.
Pumpkins in the Park - Jack O'Lantern Lighting
Carving: Tuesday, October 27 to Friday, October 30, 2015, 3 pm to 6 pm
Lighting: Friday, October 30, 2015, 6 pm to 8 pm
Location:
Long Dock Park, Beacon waterfront
On afternoons Tuesday to Friday, visit Long Dock Park to put your carving skills to use on pumpkins provided by Scenic Hudson. Stick around Friday evening, when the jack o'lanterns will be set aglow and displayed throughout the park.
Rascal's Monster Bash
Sa
turday, October 31, 2015
2 pm to 5 pm
Lo
cati
on:
Dutchess Stadium, 1500 Route 9D, Wappingers Falls
This free family event, hosted by the
baseball team, will have tons of entertainment and activities, including inflatable amusements, trick-or-treating from vendors' tables, and pumpkin painting. For more information, call (845) 838-0094.
Where to Pick Pumpkins
Select your perfect pumpkin from patches at these farms. It's always a good idea to call before you go, to confirm hours, prices and availability.
has pumpkins in their Pick-Your-Own patch set on the 20-acre farm. Fall Harvest Fest weekends include hayrides, fo
od and music. Open daily, 9 am to 6 pm, rain or shine ($5 per car admission on weekends and holidays).
CROWD ALERT!
There are
many, many people at Fishkill Farms
during this season.
in Newburgh has pumpkins in their Pick-Your-Own patch, as well as at their farm stand. You'll also find apples and other seasonal produce, as well as a hay bale maze and a mini-village for kids to play. Lawerence Farms is on many, many acres of beautiful Hudson Vall
ey land, so you have plenty o
f space to run and pla
y
despite
the number o
f people
who are there.
Open daily, 9 am to 4 pm.
AFTERNOON CLOSING ALERT
!
Lawrence Farms closes at 4pm, so
get th
ere
during the first part of your day.
, also in New
burgh, promises "no razz a ma tazz" at their fourth-generation farm stand and Pick-Your-Own area. Open daily except Tuesdays, 8 am to 6 pm.
Where to Purchase Pumpkins
In a pinch? These markets usually have an easy grab-and-go selection of pumpkins and other colorful winter squash, often locally grown!
, 268 Main St., Beacon
, 160 Old Post Road (Route 9), Wappingers Falls
, 1490 Route 9, Wappingers Falls
