Hooley on the Hudson canceled
An Irish festival that normally draws thousands to the waterfront on Labor Day weekend has been canceled in wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Hooley on the Hudson will not be held on Sunday, Sept. 6 at T.R. Gallo Park in the Rondout as originally planned, according to its sponsors, the Ancient Order of Hibernians.
It was supposed to be the 19th year in a row the Holey on the Hudson was to take place.
According to a statement, members of the Ulster County Ancient Order of Hibernians made the announcement on Friday after weighing all the options.
AOH Vice President Bill Kearney said that with all the uncertainty and concerns about the safety of vendors, sponsors and the public, members agreed it was best to put the festival off until 2021.
“We want to thank the city of Kingston, our vendors, sponsors and everfaithful Irish community— past ,present and future— for sticking with us through thick and thin,” Kearney said in a statement. “We look forward to the 2021 St. Patrick’s Parade, and we will be ready for the best 2021 Hooley,” Kearney added.
“Our ‘Parade of Dignitaries’ is one of the highlights of our Irish Festival and allows our marchers to meet with some of the 20,000 plus attendees from throughout the Northeast who have made ‘The Hooley’ a place to gather and celebrate Irish culture with three stages of Irish music, and a storytelling tent (for the little ones), and numerous food and craft vendors. Focused on family, this event is free to all, Irish or not,” the Hooley website said of the now canceled 2020 festival.
“The Hooley on the Hudson XIX” aimed to “surpass last year’s record- breaking attendance,” the website said. “Our focus on family entertainment is crucial to our event and our free admission allows families the opportunity to enjoy our proud Irish heritage without financial burden.”