Farm animals visit Saugerties Farmers Market
It will be Farm Animal Day on Saturday, Sept. 1, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Saugerties Farmers Market, 115 Main St., Saugerties.
The parade of farm animals from big to small will include draft horses, huarizos (half llama and half alpaca) and goats to bunnies, chicks, and guinea pigs. See chinchillas, bees at work, a miniature donkey and other surprises. Admission is free. Take free pony rides from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on one of Stone Haven Stables’ gentle ponies. It’s a great opportunity for children to get the feel of the saddle with the security of a handler by their side. Donna Putnam, originally from Saugerties, is a caring professional with over 30 years experience with horses and a background as a veterinary technician who puts the health and safety of her clients (both horses and humans) first.
Local artist Anita Barbour will be at the Art Corner tent to help children use farm animal stamps or their own drawings to decorate shopping bags. Have a fanciful face painting done by Shanti Payne or Rachel Staby.
Relax and hear music brought to you by New York Blues Hall of Fame singer-guitarist Elly Wininger. She has combined forces with master folk noir songwriter Dave Kearney to create “Small Engine,” a duo that chugs forward, steadily and soulfully persistent. Think Bonnie Raitt teams up with Johnny Cash. Great songs, great chops, a great show.
Inspect and climb on the antique tractors that will be on site from the Vintage Tractor Club. Enjoy free animal ginger cookies provided by the Hudson Valley Dessert Company.
Participating Saugerties farmers are Tammy Drost of Michael’s Farm with a cavalcade of barnyard animals and Ray Mayone with his draft horses, as well as the Stabys with their bee hive. The farmers will be there to introduce their animals and answer questions. The farmers market farmers will be happy to explain farming to children to help them learn where their food really comes from, as well as the importance of locally grown foods brought to market at peak and bursting with flavor and nutrition.
As always farmers, at the market will be selling an assortment of fresh fruits, vegetables, herbs, cheeses, wines, poultry and meats, fish, eggs, maple syrup, honey, baked goods (including gluten free), jams, pickles, sauces and other homemade specialties, as well as plants, cut flowers, handmade lotions and crafts such as candles, pottery, jewelry and artwork.
Lunch will be available (tacos, arepas, quesadillas, crepes, galettes, tomato cheese quiche, coffee and more) at the café tables under market umbrellas or
to take home. Parking for the market day will be provided at the St. Mary’s School parking lot on Cedar Street, one block from the market. There will be limited parking on the market lot that day to make room for the animals.
The torrential rain date for Farm Animal Day is Saturday, Sept. 8. Visit saugertiesfarmersmarket. com or the Farmers Market Facebook page for more information.