Historical Hike | Meet Madam Brett, See The Factory Ruins While Hiking The Park

Find this view when you turn right on the trail and go past the mill. Shown in video below.

Photo Credit: Katie Hellmuth Martin

Linking Beacon’s industrial past with its nature-loving, creative present, Madam Brett Park provides a unique ecological map of our city, including waterfalls, marshes, hunting grounds and habitats. Take in the various sights along boardwalks and dirt trails to see the remains of places that helped to form Beacon as we know it today, and to become an industrial powerhouse known, at one time, as the “hat-making capital of the US.”

The Nuts and Bolts of the Madam Brett Park Hike

A parking lot is off to the left once you go under the old train trestle just off Tioronda Avenue.

The entry point from Tioronda Avenue. Go under the old train trestle.

Photo Credit: Katie Hellmuth Martin

According to Google Maps, it is two miles from the Newburgh-Beacon bridge via 9D. Start your visit at the park's east end, taking in the scenic Tioronda waterfall from the observation deck. The deck itself was part of the old

sluiceway

(a gate that controlled water flow), and you can still make out some of the foundation which was built across the falls.

A cement wall is part of the sluiceway that you will walk across as part of your hike east, headed toward the small waterfalls.

Photo Credit: Katie Hellmuth Martin

This foundation is part of the sluiceway that controlled the creek's flow for the mill, and also was part of a structure that pulled trains across the creek. You will be climbing up it! The entry into the creek is worth it.

Photo Credit: Katie Hellmuth Martin

The trails within

Madam Brett

are a gentle, fairly even mile, scraping the Fishkill Creek and the old

Tioronda Hat Works factory

, adjacent to the park in the large brick building via woodland or gravel trails and a boardwalk. 

The boardwalk along the old mill when you turn west to hike along the Fishkill Creek.

Photo Credit: Katie Hellmuth Martin

Old ruins of a hat factory, seen as you walk along the boardwalk.

Photo Credit: Katie Hellmuth Martin

At the entry to the boardwalk, take a look at what remains of the iron-truss Tioronda bridge, built between 1869 and 1873 (a

nd, for safety reasons, mostly torn down in 2006

) with its rare bowstring design. 

Old remains of the Tioronda Bridge.

Photo Credit: Katie Hellmuth Martin

The twelve acres of parkland is full of all kinds of wildlife. Much of the woodlands surrounding Madam Brett is devoured by flora and fauna - just as it was in the Colonial era, when Madam Brett first laid eyes on the place. The banks, creek, hillside and marshland are home to a diverse set of animals, including predatory birds such as osprey and bald eagle who hunt and nest here, muskrats, and a large selection of fish and amphibious animals. In the spring, striped bass and shad journey up the Hudson to spawn here. Make sure to stop and take in several vistas along the marsh and creek, where the views are serene and plentiful. Listen for the variety of bird calls, and the train that passes now and again along the lazy tidal wetland.

The History of Madam Brett Park

As the trail itself now connects to Denning's Point, so does the history of Madam Brett’s land. Catharyna Rombout Brett (1687-1764) became the first European settler in Beacon, in large part due to the Rombout Patent. After her father, Frans Rombouts (sometimes spelled Francis Rombouts), died in 1691, Catharyna became an heir to her family’s third of a stake in the Rombout Patent. Twelve years later, 16-year-old Catharyna married Roger Brett, a lieutenant in the British Royal Navy who had arrived in the colonies with Lord Cornbury. The newlyweds took up residence in the stately Rombout family home in lower Manhattan. Roger Brett became a vestryman

for Trinity Church for several years as they enjoyed great wealth. However, after her mother passed away in 1707, Catharyna and Roger were left with very little money, an enormous house they couldn’t afford, and thousands of acres in the remote Hudson Valley wilderness. After the Rombout Patent was partitioned among the owning Van Cortlandt, Verplanck and Rombout (now Brett) families, Catharyna received more than 20,000 acres on the lower Fishkill Creek. They mortgaged the Rombout home in lower Manhattan, and - portending such migrations 300 years later - relocated with their sons and slaves to the remote and wild lands of what would become lower Dutchess County. 

The Madam Brett homestead.

After building their Homestead (the original Rombout Patent document is displayed at her historic home), the family got to work. While still relatively wild, Madam Brett saw the plot of land where Fishkill Creek let out into the marshy waters and into the Hudson River as opportunity. It was a popular spot for local farmers and Native Americans to congregate, sell and trade. The family soon built a gristmill on the land that married the creek and the river, and started to lease other partitions of land to farmers.

View Of The Fishkill Creek From The Boardwalk

While this was a very successful venture, tragedy would soon strike again for young Catharyna Brett. During these Colonial times, farmers in the region would ship their produce down the river to Manhattan on sloops run by Roger, a former Navy officer. One day, his sloop was struck by a freak storm upon returning from his delivery in the city, and he drowned in the Hudson. A widow at the age of 31, Catharyna partnered with George Clarke, secretary of the province and former partners with Roger, to make several key land deals in order for Madam Brett to become the sole proprietor of her land and the gristmill.

Running and maintaining the mill became the center of her life. Catharyna also looked out for the locals, to whom she provided food, clothing and servants. Aside from her fellow colonists, she became friendly with the local Wiccopee tribe, allowing them to camp on her front yard and spending time in their village. Her children Thomas and Francis could often be seen playing with the local Sachem (tribe leader) Nimham’s children. This relationship also proved beneficial when, during a financial dispute with Poughkeepsie settlers, Native Americans were sent to attack the Brett family, but the Sachem’s son warned them and the Bretts were able to escape.

In 1748, along with eighteen men, Madam Brett helped create the first river freight building to help ship produce from the local farmers, as well as the meal and flour her factories were grinding out. The building, called the Frankfort Store House, was erected on “Lower Landing,” what is now the Denning's Point area. It helped the village of Fishkill Landing (which would become part of present-day Beacon) become one of the first river ports, drawing the strategic eyes of American revolutionary military minds. (Alexander Hamilton landed just off the Store House as he finished his first entry in the Federalist Papers.) Madam Brett was also the first widow to arrange for a cooperative produce business for colonists.

As the Colonial era wound down and high fashion became all the rage, hat factories took the place of flour mills on Madam Brett’s land. At one point in the 1800s, as many as fifty factories were present around Beacon! The area’s reputation as an industrial powerhouse was strong, and would remain so for another century. 

Extend Your Stay on the Trail

The Dave Miller Connector Trail opened in 2013. It allows travel beyond Madam Brett Park, linking up with Denning's Point as well as the Klara Sauer Trail north to Long Dock Park. If you are up for a long, though not strenuous, walk through the history of Beacon, my wife and I will often walk from the Roundhouse, down Tioronda Avenue, through Madam Brett Park, on to Denning's Point and beyond to Long Dock. This loops back to the beginning of Main Street on the west side, which we follow all the way back. It’s a wonderful, leisurely hike that will take a couple of hours.

Madam Brett was a revolutionary businesswoman and the founding mother of Beacon. She built up a small empire, was a trailblazer in settling farms in Dutchess County and paved a free road through her lands to the river - today’s Route 52. She was one of the few to sell to settlers, allowing them to own their own land for farming (although, owning a keen business mind, she always made sure she had rights to build a mill on the property she sold). The parkland that we know today as Madam Brett Park played a key role in forming the local community, and helped stamp Beacon as an industrial hub, once of grain and later of hats. The park still plays an important role in Beacon, and is now helping to conserve the beauty and history of this region.

Please welcome back contributor

Dylan Price, a writer/filmmaker and avid outdoorsman who moved to Beacon with his wife from Washington, D.C., yet have since moved to Florida. They were attracted to Beacon for the unique mix of nature, art and food. 

Gilding The Pumpkin | A Pumpkin Decorating Idea For Non-Carvers

The Instagram account of Gilded Twig, aka Deborah Bigelow, who is by Instagram's definition an "Art Conservator, Master Gilder, Building Renovator, and Landlord" (she owns the building that contains Nixie Sparrow and Beahive), is quite curious. It's not often that you come across a professional gilder who knows how to cover walls in gold and renovate the precious details of this world with fresh gold (and we share love for the same hairdresser!). Her projects have included Salon Dore at the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco and an installation at Walter De Maria Enterprises. So when I began thinking of pumpkin decorating ideas for our front porch for this year's Halloween, it hit me - I bet Gilded Twig would know how to cover a pumpkin in gold! (In another attempt to decorate sans carving, I tried my hand at another Pinterest-inspired pumpkin project: I used a power drill to make delicate-looking bead designs in a pumpkin!)

Perfect for a spooky front yard recreation of a scene where anything you touch turns to gold, maybe Sleeping Beauty and Rumpelstiltskin would be there. Deborah was kind enough to cover a pumpkin in gold for us, and share her secrets for how to do it.

Deborah Bigelow Gilded Twig

 Gilding a Pumpkin

You’ve heard the phrase “gilding the lily”?
Well, now there’s “gilding the pumpkin”!

Pumpkins are beautiful just the way nature made them.
But, if you want to gold-leaf one for a Fall display, here’s how:

(All materials available at your local art store and food market.)

Materials:
a pumpkin (get A Little Beacon Blog's guide on Where to Pick Your Pumpkins This October)
water
detergent
painter's tape
wax paper
black foam brush
fast-drying oil
gold leaf (Deborah likes Sepp Leaf Products, Inc. in New York City, in any karat)
soft sable brush

23K Loose Gold Leaf

Directions:
Wash the pumpkin with a drop of detergent in water.
Rinse with clear water and dry off.
Tape off the stem with painter’s tape. Place the pumpkin on a piece of wax paper.
Using a black foam brush, apply a whisper-thin, even layer of fast-drying oil size.

Check the surface periodically until it feels dry but slightly tacky to the touch.
Open up a book of gold leaf and pick up the sheet with a gilder’s tip.
I used Manetti’s Red Gold Leaf on the pumpkin.
Beginning at the bottom, lay the gold leaf down on the pumpkin’s surface.
Press down the gold leaf with a soft sable brush.
Repeat until the entire pumpkin is covered.
Remove all of the excess leaf with the same soft brush.

Your golden pumpkin is ready to shine!

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Back in season for Fall, the famous cheese fondue pumpkin! A great party food idea, or order by the slice. Delicious.

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We would love to see your decorated pumpkins! Please tag A Little Beacon Blog on Instagram and Twitter with your work of art - no matter how it turns out!

Pictures From Spirit Of Beacon Day 2015! Plus a Video!

Once again, Spirit of Beacon Day 2015 was filled with spirit, cheers and sunshine! It was a glorious day, and everyone enjoyed seeing each other, supporting the Beacon School District with a full representation of the four elementary schools, and the marching band. Boy and Girl Scout Troops were proudly marching, and dancers from Beacon's local dance schools were in costume. Main Street is a mile long, so it's a long parade with plenty to see and eat along the way. Here are a few pictures from the day, and video of walking in the parade:

Go South Avenue Elementary!

Go Sargent Elementary!

Go Glenham Elementary!

Go J.V. Forrestal Elementary!

Glorious day.

Consider donating this year to the City Of Beacon Fire Department! And look, there is the home of one of A Little Beacon Blog's sponsors, Antalek & Moore!

The day was so sunny and hot, that you needed a pitcher of house margarita.

A parade that ends in pie, and a brownie, fresh grapes and cabbage rolls.

Socks Of Beacon | You're A Hiking Gangsta Who Likes Pickled Beer

Beacon has no shortage of great socks. And quality socks at that! From hiking to tube socks, to tube socks that really should not be worn with sneakers but are, you will find socks for men, women and kids on Main Street! For a full Guide of Shops, visit our Shopping Guide for addresses and specialties!

Yo. Here is your chance to finally sport the tube socks of your dreams. At Dream In Plastic 177 Main Street (near train).

Show some flair! You will want these tube socks to pop out from beneath your pant. These socks also hold up really well. At Dream in Plastic.

Baby socks! Smartwool makes the cutest socks ever for babies and little kids. Smartwool socks not only wear well on kids, but they stretch into the next year's size. Available at Mountain Tops Outfitters 144 Main Street (near train).

Sheepskin insoles are very important for sweaty feet, which are no joke. Sweaty feet can become cold feet while out hiking, or even while sitting inside. People who are undergoing chemotherapy who also risk skin damage to their feet have been told to wear real sheepskin-lined shoes. These may help. Available at Mountain Tops Outfitters.

Oh what's that? You need a special running sock? Done. Available at Mountain Tops Outfitters.

Ladies...Smartwool has some styles for you! Available at Mountain Tops Outfitters. Great for hiking.

There are some darn tough men in this town. And those men wear Darn Tough socks. And Smartwool. Available at Mountain Tops Outfitters.

The most best-est shoe and sock combination ever, at Reservoir & Wood 460 Main Street (near mountain). They have Fox River Socks in stock for men, women and children!

Upcoming + Annual Events in and Around Beacon - Places to Go, Things To Do You Don't Want to Miss

If you feel like you're the last to know everything, then bookmark this page and synch it into your calendar, because you're about to be on top of where to go and what to do in and around Beacon, NY and the Hudson Valley. If you have an event you'd like to submit for consideration, please email editorial@alittlebeaconblog.com.

Once an event passes, it will be moved to the bottom of this page, and then updated later in the year when the date is picked by the venue host.

Last Updated: 10/6/15

UPCOMING & ANNUAL EVENTS, PARADES & FESTIVALS

3rd Annual Pink Kiss Breast Cancer Awareness Event
October 10th, 2015
6pm-9pm
Location: Lorraine Tyne, 161 Main Street
Shop, drink and pose on the red carpet of Pink Kiss, a collaborative fundraising event from designer Sarah Graby and the jewelry store Lorraine Tyne. Sarah Graby features her collection of head scarves called "Sparkle My Head Scarves" to celebrate Breast Cancer Awareness month. Complimentary cocktails, glam styling sessions and giveaways await you. This year marks our 3rd year the event is raising money for the Hudson Valley's "Miles Of Hope" Organization.
Free, yet donate!

City of Beacon 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.

New York State Sheep & Wool Festival

October 17th - 18th, 2015 

Location: Dutchess County Fairgrounds | Rhinebeck, NY 12572

A lovely sheep and wool festival happening at the Dutchess County Fairgrounds. Learn about and enjoy the animals, find wool fashions like mittens, gloves and sweaters, and shop the market.

Information >

Buy Tickets Here >

Beacon Sloop Club Pumpkin Festival

October 18th, 2015
12pm-5pm

Location: Pete and Toshi Seeger Riverfront Park

The Beacon Sloop Club holds or participates in several festivals and events each year to raise funds for the clubs activities and bring awareness to many environmental and social issues.

Information >

City of Beacon Hocus Pocus Parade
Sunday, October 25, 2015
12:30 pm
Location: Main Street, Beacon
Costumed kids start lining up at Peace Park (South Avenue/9D and Main Street) at 12:30 for a parade down Main Street at 1. Trick-or-treating at businesses follows the stroll. Don't forget to check in at the Beacon Flea, too! They'll have some treats for the little goblins.
Information >

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.
Information >

Santa Spottings on Main Street

December 2015

Location: Main Street Shops

Santa comes to coffee shops and restaurants around Beacon. Where will you visit him?

Information >

LOTTERY, SEASON PASSES & SIGNUPS

Scenic Hudson Kayak Storage

March 30 - April 17, 2015

This lottery signup is annual, and we covered it here on the blog.

Sign Up Details >

Beacon's New Pool at the Settlement Camp

Registration Starts March 1st, 2015

Season Starts June 29th, 2015

Registration Form >

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EVENTS THAT ALREADY HAPPENED

These events have passed. Look for them next year!

We move them to the bottom of this Guide to get ready for next year!

City of Beacon's "Easter After Easter" Egg Hunt

Saturday April 25th, 2015

11am - 2pm

Location: Memorial Park

According to the City, Easter is coming later. "Same great fun and better weather! Join us for our a little bit later than Easter Egg Hunt and Spring Fling at Memorial Park."

Information >

Beacon Barks Parade

Saturday April 25th, 2015 (rain or shine)

10am - 3pm

Location: Main Street

The 9th Annual Beacon Barks! parade being held on Saturday, April 25, 2015, on Main Street in Beacon.  Beacon Barks! is the street festival for people who love animals, live music, great food, and having fun in the heart of Beacon. Festivities begin at 10:00 am and conclude at 3:00 pm.  Show appreciation for animal shelters, rescue and welfare organizations. It’s free, fun, family-friendly!  Bring your four-legged family members, too!  Local shops and restaurants open their doors to participants (both canine and otherwise) for tasty snacks & treats.  A variety of service providers (such as groomers, vets and many others) offer information and advice on caring for your best friend. Usually held the 3rd week in April of every year.

Information >

Ree-Play Sale
Friday, Saturday, Sunday
May 1, 2 3, 2015
9am - 1pm

Location: The University Settlement Camp Theater
724 Wolcott Avenue  (Rt. 9D across from Craig House)
The Ree-Play Sale is one of Beacon's most well known, well attended annual sales for baby and kids gear in the region. Donations pour in from families from all over, and the pickings begin on May 1st for three short days. Those who volunteer to sort the gently used items for sale do get pre-shopping privileges. For sale are gently used baby’s, children’s, and maternity clothing, toys, furniture, outdoor play equipment, bicycles, strollers and other baby-gear, etc.

The Ree-Play Sale the primary fundraiser for its parent organization, Wee Play Community Project,  an advocate for the City of Beacon’s playgrounds, which promotes excellence in children’s and youth programming, and builds an organized coalition of community parents.
Information >


Stony Kill Plant Sale: Vegetable and Herb Plant Sale and Spring Celebration
May 2nd, 2015
11am to 3pm
Location: 79 Farmstead Lane, Wappingers Falls, NY 12590
Get ready for the spring season with vegetables and herbs that were grown in Stony Kill's greenhouse.  Live music – food – children’s activities –  information – demonstrations – gift shop – tours of the farm animals in the barn – tours of the Verplanck Tenant Farmhouse – and much more!
Information >


Obercreek Plant Sale
May 2nd, 2015 10am to 4pm (also on May 9 and 10) 
May 3rd, 2015, 1pm to 5pm
Location: 59 Marlorville Road Wappingers Falls, NY 12590
The Obercreek Farm Standis selling their Certified Organic vegetable and herb plants for your home garden!  They are growing over 60 varieties, traditional and heirloom; check out the line-up below:
Information >

Common Ground Farm Seedling Sale

May 9th, 2015

10am to 3pm

Location: 142 Main Street, Common Greens Garden @ Tito Santana Taqueria

Find Common Ground Farm at the Common Greens Garden at Tito Santana Taqueria on Second Saturday in Beacon for their annual seedling sale, just in time for Mother's Day! Seedlings will include: flowers, tomatoes, cucumbers, melons, kale, greens, herbs and more! All grown by hand & with love in organic potting soil at Common Ground Farm.

Information >

Beacon Open Studios

May 16th - 17th, 2015

Location: Shops, Studios and Residences

Beacon Open Studios is a community supported project by artists, volunteers, individuals, and local business. Studio spaces are created around the community where you can drop in during daytime hours. As you walk around town, you will see the big red circle dot that identifies a studio space in a shop or home.

Information >


HEfeSTUS Iron Pour
May 23th, 2015
2pm to 10pm
Location: Hanna Lane (near the Tallix Complex, where parking is available)

Woa. This is an event you don't see very often, so you're going to want to go. It is live casting of hot metal during a day of food from local eateries and live music. Hefestus Iron pour began in 2013 with the idea of bringing together art, history and community.  This year’s all-day festival will include sculpture casting workshops, musical entertainment, local food and several thousand pounds of molten iron.  Local artist and students will be casting iron sculpture from an outdoor furnace in a spectacle of metal and fire that is not to be missed.  Casting is the process in which metal is melted in a furnace and poured from a container or ladle into a mold of ceramic shell or bonded sand. During  Hefestus 2014, over 50 iron castings were poured into molds designed and carved by attendees.
Information >


Beacon Riverfest In The Parks Series (Free)
May 25th, 2015
4pm to 6pm
Location: Memorial Park
Bring a picnic and make sure you're wearing your dance shoes as the first of four free summer concerts kicks off this Memorial Day Weekend. The band is "The Big Takeover" and you've enjoyed their reggae style before in Beacon.

For Goodness Bake

Saturday, June 6th, 2015

Location: Catalyst Gallery 137 Main Street

FOR GOODNESS BAKE (FGB) is an annual pop-up bake sale held in Beacon, New York. Founded in 2013 by friends and Beaconites Kristen Cronin and Tara Tornello, FGB is dedicated to raising funds and awareness for worthy causes within the Hudson Valley. Each FGB bake sale is held for one day only. Scores of the Valley's best professional and amateur bakers donate baked goods for the sale. Past beneficiaries have been the Children's Organ Transplant Association and the Kids R Kids Feeding Program. Once the last doughnut, cookie, or muffin has been sold, FGB closes up shop, hands over 100% of the proceeds to the beneficiary, and vanishes. Like superheroes, but with aprons instead of tights.

Information >

Beacon's City-Wide Yard Sale

Saturday, June 13th, 2015

9am - 3pm

Location:All Over Beacon!

Participating in the yard sale can happen one of two ways - you can register your address as an official yard sale and get on the map (try calling the City of Beacon at (845) 838-5000, or just put stuff out on your yard and tag it. People will surly be driving by and will stop.

Information >

Strawberry Festival

Sunday, June 14th, 2015

12noon - 5pm

Location: Pete and Toshi Seeger Riverfront Park

Strawberry shortcakes, music, vendors. what more do you need in the summer? The Beacon Sloop Club holds or participates in several festivals and events each year to raise funds for the clubs activities and bring awareness to many environmental and social issues.

Information >

Cider Week

June 12th - 21st, 2015

Location: Many different events and locations. See the full lineup here.

Cider-lovers rejoice, there is a Cider Week for you! Circulate around all of the events during this week, and increase your knowledge and appreciation of cider pressed in this region. Cider is another old beverage renewed in our day. It was made, stored, and consumed all over the U.S from early times. But eventually, Temperance politics and Prohibition ended legal sales. Apple growers had to replace their cider orchards with “Apple Pie orchards”. Bitter, sour, weird apples that could make great cider lost all value in the States. But real cider is not brewed. There’s no grain, no cooking, and no fast route to high quality. Serious cider is all apple juice, pressed from superior cider varieties. It represents the land that grew that fruit. It takes time and patience. Great beer can be made in weeks; great cider, not. The most complex cider is tannic, like red wine. Its gold color means people tend to chill it. But serious cider from the right fruit deserves to be tasted at about 60F. Also, cider tannins offer antioxidant effects, but with far less alcohol than red wine. Founded by Glynwood, Cider Week was created to revive New York's orchard heritage. The website serves to connect cider makers from New York’s Hudson Valley to buyers from top restaurants, bars, and retail shops across the Hudson Valley region, New York City, and beyond. Through growing awareness of craft cider, Cider Week helps to bring profitability to local orchards while reviving heirloom apple varieties.

Information >

All Events >

Beacon Riverfest In The Parks Series (Free)

Tuesday, June 16th, 2015

6pm to 8pm

Location: Green Street Park (on the other side of Fishkill Creek, this is a park located in the base of a sloping hill)

Bring a picnic and make sure you're wearing your dance shoes! The bands are "Bad Mother Factory" and "Knock Yourself Out."

Local Cider Market & Tasting at Historic Huguenot Street House

June 20th, 2015

Noon - 4pm

Location: Historic Huguenot Street House, 88 Huguenot Street, New Paltz, NY 12561

This cider event in New Paltz is included in this Guide because of the historical value and richness you will get out of attending it. As part of both New York State’s Path Through History Weekend and Hudson Valley Cider Week, Historic Huguenot Street will host a local cider market and tasting on Saturday, June 20. The market will feature 9 Hudson Valley cider makers, including: Hudson Valley Farmhouse Cider (produced at Breezy Hill Orchard and Stone Ridge Orchard), Warwick Valley Winery & Distillery (maker of Doc’s® Draft Ciders, Warwick), Glorie Farm Winery (Marlboro), The Standard Cider Company (owned by Brotherhood Winery, Washingtonville), Aaron Burr Cidery (Wurtsboro), Orchard Hill Cider Mill (located at Soons Orchard, New Hampton), Kettleborough Cider House (New Paltz), Pitchfork Hard Cider (Poughkeepsie), and Angry Orchard (opening a new facility in Walden). As part of the market, Historic Huguenot Street and Kettleborough Cider House will be introducing a historic crab apple hard cider, brewed by Kettleborough in collaboration with HHS. The cider’s use of crab apples is true to how the early founders of New Paltz would have brewed their own cider, which was a popular colonial drink.

Information > 

Beacon Riverfest Music & Food Festival

Sunday, June 28th, 2015

Noon to 8pm

Location: Riverfront Park (on the other side of the train station)

An entire day of live music and food! A large lineup of bands are playing on 3 stages in Riverfront Park. Kids under 10 get in free, and tickets are available for purchase for adults. Enjoy music, food and crafts. The bands include Sierra Leone’s Refugee All Stars, Tracy Bonham, Sidewalk Chalk, Schwervon, Decora, Gato Loco, Jenny Dee & The Deelinquents, What Moon Things, Breakfast In Fur, Shana Falana, M Shanghai String Band, and Simi Stone.

Information >

4th Of July Fireworks, Memorial Park

Saturday July 4th, 2015

NOTE: There is no parade on Main Street.

11am Reading of the Declaration of Independence

A reading of the Declaration of Independence will take place, on Saturday, at 11:00am at City Hall.

3pm till dark

Location: Memorial Park, Beacon

Presented once again by a collaborative community effort by the City of Beacon, Beacon-Fishkill Kwanis Club, The Costellos and I Am Beacon. Bring the whole family to enjoy! Fireworks begin at dusk.

Information >

For even more Things to Do for July 4th Weekend in Beacon, NY, see our Pools, Picnics and Fireworks Roundup!

Beacon Riverfest In The Parks Series (Free)

Saturday July 11th, 2015

6pm to 8pm

Location: The Beacon Pool - POOL PARTY! (at the Settlement Camp, 724 Wolcott)

Bring a picnic and make sure you're wearing your dance shoes! The band is "PONTOON."

Beacon Riverfest In The Parks Series (Free)

Thursday July 16th, 2015

6pm to 8pm

Location: South Avenue Park

Bring a picnic and make sure you're wearing your dance shoes! The band is "Jeremy Baum Trio."

Beacon Riverfest In The Parks Series (Free)

Thursday July 23rd, 2015

6pm to 8pm

Location: Long Dock Park (near the train station, but far to the left near paths for Dennings Point)

Bring a picnic and make sure you're wearing your dance shoes! The band is "The Stacks."

Beacon Jazz Fest

Saturday July 25th, 2015

12noon - 6pm

Location: The Pete and Toshi Seeger Riverfront Park

Celebrating Music, Hudson Valley Distilleries, artisan crafts & culture of the Hudson Valley, the Inaugural Beacon Jazz Festival will take place on Saturday, July 25 from noon to 6 PM at The Pete and Toshi Seeger Riverfront Park in Beacon, NY. Presented by Six String Productions, the festival will offer a wealth of musical talent, many with long associations with Beacon and the surrounding region, in addition to great Jazz this event will also double as a Hudson Valley distillery tasting event.   Local craft breweries, cideries and wineries will be represented along with local artisan chefs providing food to complement the event. Musical artists you can expect to hear include Sun of Goldfinger, Karl Berger/Ingrid Sertso Quintet, International Brass & Membrane Corps, Mike Dopazo & The HV All-Stars. The Beacon DJ Grady Salter will also be spinning classic jazz selections all day between acts.

In addition, Hudson Valley distilleries, Wineries, and Cideries, include Dennings Point Distillery,  Hudson Valley Distillery, Albany Distillery,  Dutch Spirits, Taconic Distillery, Tuthilltown, Harvest Spirits, Brotherhood winery, Naked Flock cidery , Bad Seed Cidery will be offering free tastings of their renowned spirits, cider and wine throughout the festival. Other local business providing food and drink at the Beacon Jazz Festival include More Good, Tito Santana, Beacon Bread, The Hop Express, plus many more.

More Information >

Firefly Feast

Saturday, August 1st, 2015

4pm - 9pm

Location: 4 Hanna Lane
The second annual Firefly Feast will have local food, drinks, and music all to benefit Common Ground Farm (kids 12 and under are free!).
More Information and Buy Tickets>

The Butterfly Festival

Sunday, August 8th, 2015

11am - 3pm (Rain or Shine!)

Location: 79 Farmstead Lane, Wappingers Falls, NY

Visit the Verplanck Memorial Perennial Garden and learn all about butterflies! Visit the butterfly tent and have a one on one experience with these wonderful creatures! Food – gift shop – children’s activities - information – demonstrations – and much more! (Free)

Information >


The Beacon Sloop Club Annual Corn Festival

Sunday, August 9th, 2015

12noon - 5pm (Rain or Shine!)

Location: Pete and Toshi Seeger Riverfront Park

The Beacon Sloop Club holds or participates in several festivals and events each year to raise funds for the clubs activities and bring awareness to many environmental and social issues. This free festival features fresh picked, ready‐to‐eat local‐grown Hudson Valley sweet corn on the cob, hot chili, watermelon, cold drinks, and other summer treats. Music throughout the afternoon and many free kids activities! (Free)

Information >

The Hairdressers Disco Ball

Sunday, August 23rd, 2015

7pm-10pm

Location:  Mid-Hudson Civic Center

For 2015, the Hairdresser’s Disco Ball and Charity Hair Show goes to the Oscars! Get ready for a blockbuster red-carpet-worthy runway show featuring over-the-top, highly creative hair styles and costumes inspired by Academy Award-winning movies and Hollywood stars. The big show raises funds for HVCS’ HIV/AIDS programs and services and takes place on Sunday, August 23, 2015 at 7:00 pm at the Mid-Hudson Civic Center in downtown Poughkeepsie. You may see your favorite stylist from Beacon participating!

Tickets and Information >
Facebook page for fabulous photos >



Dutchess County Fair

August 25th - 30th, 2015 

Location: Dutchess County Fairgrounds | Rhinebeck, NY 12572

Only one of the best fairs around! Folks from far and wide come to ride the Farris wheel and other rides. A fun date night or night out with the family.

Information >

Buy Tickets Here >

September 12th 2015
9am Registration, 10:30am Walk Begins

Location: Long Dock Park, Beacon NY

Benefiting Hope and Heroes, who funds the life-saving work on childhood cancer and blood disorders at Columbia University Medical Center. Presented by Jessica Salomon, a mother of a Sickle Cell Disease survivor, and Event Coordinator to bring awareness to the community one step at a time.

Information >

Hudson Valley Hoptember Harvestfest 
September 12th 2015 

Location: 1167 Noxon Road | Lagrangeville, NY 12540

"Celebrating Everything Hoppy!" The event will feature 30 plus local brewers, music by "Buckeye Rooster, and our Hop smoked BBQ by the award winning "Bacon Brothers" as well as many other Hop Infused Delights

Information >

Buy Tickets Here >

Hudson River Craft Beer Festival
September 19th 2015 

Location: Riverfront Park

This four-hour event will showcase over 200 releases from some of America’s best craft breweries. Attendees will sample beers in an atmosphere filled with live music, delicious food available for purchase, and great vendors.

Information >

Buy Tickets Here >

Beacon Independent Film Festival  

September 18th-20th 2015

Opening Night Friday, 7:30pm

Location: Beacon's University Settlement Camp on Wolcott Avenue (aka 9D)

The Beacon Independent Film Festival (BIFF) showcases creative films in a unique venue, nestled among the trees at the foot of Mount Beacon, NY.

Information >

[UPDATED: Open!] Construction for BAJA 328 Tequila Bar and Southwest Grill

The front of BAJA 328, on Main Street.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Baja 328 has opened and is now in A Little Beacon Blog's full Restaurant Guide. It is also a late-night consideration on Second Saturday nights out!

*  *  *

Prepare...Authentic Southwestern food coupled with over 150 tequilas is coming to 328 Main Street. BAJA 328 aimed to be open very soon, and surely with a few more finishing touches, we will be able to taste why there are over 150 tequilas in existence. This restaurant is in the building next to Quinn's that has the glass paneled garage door that you may have wondered about for some time.

The Orange County Chamber of Commerce notes that BAJA 328 is a new business venture of Leo’s Restaurant and Pizzeria located in Cornwall, Newburgh and Wappingers Falls.

Also located next to Rite Aid with a parking lot in the back, BAJA 328 is an easy location to plan for! Just don't drink tequila and drive of course...

The back of BAJA 328, where the construction activity moves.

Happy FriYAY! Happy Shopping This Weekend In Beacon From These Emoji Pillows

Emoji pillows at Dream in Plastic, which they also ship.

Had to chuckle softly when walking past this window display at Dream In Plastic, and pull this picture from our Instagram files. These emoji pillows need to be purchased and given to your mother who is going crazy with her new discovery of these little friends, or to your hubby or partner who may be making the funniest and most unexpected emoji combinations in your new tech-heavy communications.

Use A Little Beacon Blog's Shopping Guide to help plan your outing, as it includes all shops organized by specialty! And then combine it with our location-based Restaurant Guide to know where to fill your belly or stop for pie in between. And if you want your nails done or lash extensions put on, head to the Beauty Guide for that!

Spirit Of Beacon Day 2015 Attracts Free Concert From Dar Williams, Slam Allan, and Others

Beacon's largest parade, the Spirit of Beacon Day, this year will have a major free concert for music lovers which kicks off a new arts project and destination.

The Spirit of Beacon Day Parade, this year on Sunday, September 27, 2015, is traditionally one of the biggest parade celebrations in Beacon, with floats of kids, parents and teachers from the school district driving down Main Street, followed by marching bands, fire engines, flying candy, even local dentists like Beacon Dental who have marched down handing out tooth brushes. After the parade, which usually is on a sparkler of a day with bright sunshine, and crisp, early Fall air softly swooping through the town at the base of Mount Beacon, the people of Beacon get to enjoy visiting tables of businesses, indulging in a little facepaint as a fundraiser of a local church or Beacon girls softball team, getting hypnotized by drum circles, and even watching dancers from many different nationalities like this one from Arts Mid-Hudson after last year's parade.

Missing from the day will be a live performance from Pete Seeger, who usually performed with members of his band in the middle of Main Street for all to hear. This year, however, a special live free concert will be taking place at the Veterans Place near the Post Office at 3pm - featuring major folk musicians from the area including Tom Chapin, Dar Williams, Bruce Molsky, Susan Wright and Slam Allen. The concert is part of an announcement of a new arts project: The American Center for Folk Music (ACFM).

The center is targeted to be located in Beacon and its primary mission is said to be "the presentation, celebration and study of folk music, and the ongoing support of folk musicians and music educators," according to a press release sent out by the Towne Crier, a 40-year old live music venue that relocated to Beacon and is now a central part of the City's burgeoning music scene. The Towne Crier's founder, Phil Ciganer, is providing logistical assistance with the project.

The American Center for Folk Music's co-founder David Ross, a former director of the Whitney Museum of American Art as well as an art educator and musician, has this to say about Sunday's free concert and about the foundation of the new center: “Folk music’s extraordinary heritage is something we feel needs to be taken seriously, and celebrated," said Ross. "For those of us in Beacon and in this region, it is a way of preserving the memory and continuing the work of Pete Seeger, the great American musician who is a hero to all of us who believed that music has the power to change the world for the better.”

Says Ross, "The American Center for Folk Music wants to be an integral part of the local community as well as a national destination for musicians, tourists and scholars alike."  Seems like a good idea to plant the seed on Spirit of Beacon Day, as hopefully one more rich addition to the culture that is once again taking shape in Beacon's long history of giving back and educating.

Fall Fashion Weekend in Beacon: Favorite Time To Shop

As New York Fashion Week wraps up its final days in the City before it heads to London, city-folk are departing the train at the Beacon station, neighbors from Cold Spring and other areas are driving up to find parking, and residents of Beacon are packing their purses to head out for a weekend of Fall shopping! And boy is there a lot to select from. For your full map on where to shop, see A Little Beacon Blog's Shopping Guide that names each shop in Women's Fashion, Men's Fashion, Kids, and so on.

But first, a look in pictures. Turns out that the yarnbombers were ahead of the curve fashion-wise, as leading some of the catwalks at New York Fashion Week wore crocheted dresses made to look handmade, from designers including Tommy Hilfiger, Custo Barcelona, and BCBG Max Azria. Trends from the 70's were in, like flare pants with tight tops. This is great news for ladies who love being comfortable. Fashion bloggers were spotted in unicorns and rainbows. Beacon based fashion blogger Nicole Alyse, vintage boutique owner of American Gypsy was there.  Overall, the trends seemed to be - do whatever you want. So here is what you will find in Beacon:

Fall fashion at its best in Echo, as per usual. Fall may be Echo's best season. Find slouchy sweatshirt dresses, leggings, sweaters, shoes and accessories to go with all. Echo 470 Main Street (on the East End near the mountain)

If you're a dresses kind of a gal, Lauren & Riley has short and long, flirty and office-ready. Plus, find more skirts and long shirts. Lauren & Riley 462 Main Street (on the East End near the mountain)

Reservoir & Wood has knitwear you will covet, handmade designer jewelry and the burliest plaid shirts and jackets for men. Plus some of the most adorable baby outfits. Reservoir & Wood 460 Main Street (on the East End near the mountain)

Colorant was once the darling of our PopUp Shop Guide, and now they have moved permanently into their space! Find fashion-forward designs from the Colorant label as well as other designers. COLORANT 145 Main Street (on the West End near the train)

Told you Colorant was fashion-forward. Crop, knitted, hand -died tops. COLORANT 145 Main Street (on the West End near the train)

Easy fashions hang from the racks of Nella Bellas, like this flirty yet roomy dress. Nella Bellas 155 Main Street (on the West End near the train)

Oh what's that? You need something short and ostrich-inspired? Also at Nella Bellas. Nella Bellas 155 Main Street (on the West End near the train)

For the denim enthusiast. Deeply hued dresses and jeans at Nella Bellas. Nella Bellas 155 Main Street (on the West End near the train)

As you're shopping, definitely keep A Little Beacon Blog's Shopping Guide open on your smart phone. Our Shopping Guide has all addresses and phone numbers of every shop in Beacon at your fingertips. #obsessed

Draught Industries Adds Food To Craft Beer Menu!

The Jalapeño Cheddar Dog & Friends.

It's true, Draught Industries was your source for beer porn because their freshly tapped kegs were just...so...good. But you got hungry! And the people at Draught took notice as people were bringing in their own take-out Chinese. Once the beer kings finished opening one of the most tasty restaurants in Fishkill, The Dutchess Bierecafe, they brought some of the good food back over to Beacon. You'll find asiago cheese smothered chicken sausage, the chedder bratwurst, and onion confit on more than a few things.

Full menu that is very cheese and sausage friendly.

A Little Beacon Blog's Restaurant Guide has taken note! 

And if you want some good Instagram, catch Draught Industries' photos.

Hudson Valley Brewery Begins Construction at 7 East Main, Slated To Open Spring 2016

Hold the phones, residents on the East side of Beacon near the Fishkill Creek just got extremely excited that their craft beer selection now includes Hudson Valley Brewery at 7 East Main, one of Beacon's few remaining factory buildings that will undergo renovation to take a new form. Correction, everyone in Beacon just got extremely excited that different areas around Main Street are evolving with such definition, and that our choices of dining and drinking out are increasing with such style. The Brewery will feature a taproom, wholesale manufacturing facility and event space, occupying all 18,000 square feet of the former factory. The dreamy brainchild of John-Anthony Gargiulo is slated to open in Spring 2016.

The far end of Main Street close to the mountain is a playground for developers and those who are passionate about restoring Beacon's old factory buildings into something of beauty and function. Says Gargiulo, President of Hudson Valley Brewing: “It was really important to us to preserve this building and bring it back online. It also happens to offer the perfect space for each aspect of our business: a beautiful, welcoming entry near Main Street for the taproom, a second level with high ceilings and original beams for private events, and a large warehouse space in the back for a 30-barrel brewhouse.”

7 East Main sits on the bank of the Fishkill Creek, and to the right of 1 East Main, which is known as the Electric Windows building that is being converted into lofts.

Gargiulo adds in a recent press release: "The building completes a row of other substantial Beacon development projects, adjacent to two new loft/condominium buildings and a brand new municipal parking lot." He has been working to secure the space since 2013, according to the statement.

Think you'd like to totally change careers open a brewery? Take Gargiulo's lead, and you can! A former dolly grip for movies including productions put out by Marvel, Gargiulo would set up  lighting designs and positions for cinematographers behind the camera. Now he is the visionary overseeing construction after leaving LA five years ago to return to his roots here in the Hudson Valley. He applied for and received an Empire State Development Grant in 2014, which helped push the project over the edge of dreaming to doing. “Our vision is for Hudson Valley Brewery to be a truly collaborative process: from the way we brew and blend our beers to the way we represent this incredible region and community we’re so proud to be part of.”

Looking forward to watching the construction, and to the opening. Meanwhile, see where you can dine and drink right now in A Little Beacon Blog's live Restaurant Guide.

A Healthy Smile is a Beautiful Smile (Sponsored by Beacon Dental)

The team at Beacon Dental wants to remind you that as you strive for pearly white teeth, the first step to oral beauty is healthy teeth. One of the easiest ways to help your teeth and gums stay healthy is to floss daily!

What you are looking at here in this picture is a periodontal chart. It measures the health of your gums by checking to see if they are receding or not on each tooth. The dentist pokes your teeth to see how far down the measurement goes, with 1s and 2s being great! 5s and 6s being... eh, not so great. TIP: Floss daily!

Beacon Dental is a sponsor of A Little Beacon Blog, and we thank you for supporting businesses that make this publication possible!

JOB LISTING: Social Media Curator + Editorial Coordinator (Contract-Based)

UPDATE: Thank you to the wonderful people who have applied so far! There are so many talented people in this area. We are very close to reaching a decision, and have closed the application process at this time.

A Little Beacon Blog has an opening for one or two people on our team! Ideal candidate(s) lives and/or works in Beacon and loves the neat developments going on here. You will be primarily working virtually at your location, so self-motivation and dedication is a must. We may have one editorial meeting a week to connect and coordinate, lasting 1-2hrs. Producing a blog takes many forms, and a few of the skills from each position may reflect your talents. Please email katie@alittlebeaconblog.com with your interest and qualifications. If you are multi-talented in both of these areas, please indicate that in your email!

Rate:
Rate for both positions is $25/hr.
This is contract, part time work.

SOCIAL MEDIA CURATOR
The Social Media Curator will design and write for the social streams of A Little Beacon Blog, highlighting articles and sponsor messages. Ideal candidate enjoys working in Illustrator and social media apps, and is excited by the rapidly evolving landscape available through social media. The Social Media Curator also loves a good editorial schedule to create the flow of storytelling coming from A Little Beacon Blog. Responsibilities include:

Photos & Design: 

• Grabbing photos already used in blog articles and using them in social media.
• Using WordSwag (iPhone) or another word placement app to embellish photos with words. 
• Editing photos in Illustrator to match current brand guidelines that we use for shared sponsor photos and for images from the Things To Do In Beacon Guides. Suggest some of your own new styles!
• Using fonts and brand elements for special messages from A Little Beacon Blog to readers that get socialized and/or placed in newsletter.
• Taking original photos while out and about in Beacon to share on Instagram and Twitter.

Things To Do In Beacon Guides:

• Tweet upcoming events, or highlight shops, restaurants, or trends.
  

Fluent In:

• Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest
• Hootsuite
• Bit.ly
• Google Docs/Drive
• Google Calendar
• Bonus: MailChimp (awesome, but not required)

Content Creation:

• Use designated bit.ly links for articles and sponsor pages in Tweets, Replies, Instagrams, and Comments. This means keeping a cheat sheet with you to help direct people wanting recommendations to the right place.
• Curate Pinterest boards for A Little Beacon Blog. Includes content at the blog as well as at other businesses around the web.

Scheduling:

• Daily checks of the Editorial Calendar and Guides to create social shares on designated days. You will be creating at least two Tweets and Instagrams a day.
• Feature articles in the archive using different article photos than were used the first time.

• Create scheduled tweets using Twitter (ads.twitter.com) or via Hootsuite.
• Schedule Facebook updates.

Code:

• Working knowledge of HTML for basic edits in body copy and image placement.

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EDITORIAL COORDINATOR
The Editorial Coordinator loves lists and calendars! There is some overlap with the responsibilities of the Social Media Curator.

Editorial Calendar:

• Work with Katie to plan and schedule stories and maintain the flow and vibe of newly published content.
• Check the editorial calendar daily to make sure stories are on time.

Things To Do In Beacon Guides:

• Manage changes in the Guides, from business moves, additions and advertiser features.
• Research the Second Saturday gallery openings and add them to that Guide.
  

Photos: 

• Coordinate with Social Media Curator to highlight new articles and archived articles. 

Fluent In:

• Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest
• Hootsuite
• Bit.ly
• Google Docs/Drive
• Google Calendar
• Bonus: MailChimp (awesome, but not required)

Content Creation:

• Use designated bit.ly links for articles and sponsor pages in Tweets, Replies, Instagrams, and Comments. This means keeping a cheat sheet with you to help direct people with questions to the right place.
• Edit articles by adding links and photos where necessary.

Scheduling:

• Keep editorial on schedule, including Guide references, sponsor shares, and scheduled stories that are to be published.
• Check that social media shares are scheduled or published.

Code

• Working knowledge of HTML for basic edits in body copy and image placement.

Classified Listings - Place Your Listing Here

Reach the community of readers who follow A Little Beacon Blog and turn to it as a resource in the Hudson Valley. Classified Listings get promoted to the readership via Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and in our free e-newsletter. New and regular readers of A Little Beacon Blog who visit it daily as they search for information also see the listings. A great resource for listing jobs, housing, rentals, and other items. View Active Classified Listings Here

INCLUDED:

• Full Listing: List your full listing with pictures and links.
• Pictures: Highlight up to 5 pictures.
• Social Media: Each listing is shared via Facebook 1 time, and on Twitter and Instagram 2 times.
• Social Media Image: A Little Beacon Blog's design team will design the ad that gets circulated in social media.

PRICE: $150/listing/month

Target Up Route 9...The Happy Pill To Organizing Your Life!

"I wish I lived in Target," said my 5 year old on the eve of the First Day of Kindergarten. Little did she know that this guy did live in Ikea for a week back when people still used white pages and flip phones.

While she wouldn't find a lot of beds in Target on Rt. 9 in the Poughkeepsie Galleria, where you will also find a Best Buy, JC Penny, Macy's, and a full mall of stores like H&M, she could easily play in the "Kid Section" of Target all night, and forage for pizza and popcorn for dinner, and hopefully fruit from the back grocery area. I prefer the "Grown Up Section," which is everything else and includes these glorious organizational bins. Who knows how Target can transform your life! Need a laundry room makeover? Bring order to your office! Streamline your business!

Target is pulling out all of the stops on organizational bins, and has brought Montessori thinking to the masses. Like the phrase "Put a bird on it!", all you need to do is: "Put it in a box!" You can completely have any of these boxes in your kitchen, living room, bedroom, and even inside of your closets where only you and your cat see the chaos, yet he/she probably prefers sleeping in blended piles of sheets and towels rather than in bins of folded pillow cases.

#NoShame...peek inside my closet for the clarity that comes from bins!

Slouchy fabric containers...but of course! Maybe you will transport your laundry with a happy skip to your step. Maybe a slouchy container will live in the trunk of your car to contain the stuff thrown back there. Maybe the pretty fabric bucket holds towels for house guests in your bathroom (if you're like many in Beacon who don't have a lot of closets upstairs).

Reader take note: not every Target is the same, and the one up Rt. 9 is especially amazing for those living in Beacon and beyond. Just try to walk in without buying one little thing! When these creamy buckets are in the $1 isle (confession...they are $3), I come out with at least four buckets. You just never know when you'll need to hold toothbrushes or plastic fish from a game! In July/August, the shelves were stocked as you see them here and parents milled around with school supply lists. In early September, the shelves were actually getting bare, waiting for a re-stock after the rush from college and grade level schools cleared out the great ideas.

Easily enhance any vintage find at Beacon Flea Market with mini $3 buckets from Target that come in a variety of colors!

Target this time of year is actually better than Christmas. #BackToSchool is really just an excuse for adults to buy organizational supplies and for wardrobe refreshs. Because really, the school supply list and all that surrounds it is the most fun part about September - whether you have kids or not!

This is the happy pill to your admin work.

Poughkeepsie Nissan is located just up Route 9, before Target.