The Ashokan Center

On October 31st the Ashokan Center invites the public to experience the autumn beauty of the Catskills and Halloweens of yore in a magical 19th century setting at its 5th Annual Fall Festival.

Ashokan’s 374-acres will be transformed into a land of enchantment for all ages. Stroll amidst costumed tinkers, blacksmiths..., school marms, peasants, and other characters from America in the 1800s. Engage in hands-on colonial crafts such as broommaking where one can create the perfect accessory for their witch or Harry Potter costume. Step into the blacksmith shop, where skillfully guided by Ashokan’s Program Director Nance Gross, participants can feel the jolt of the hammer against the steel and anvil as they pound out their own project to take home. Play the part of a student in a memorable 1817 schoolhouse re-enactment during which the school marm or master will show no mercy for being tardy.

Then step into local history and the Halloween mood with a guided walk to a 19th century cemetery and learn about its past and people through stories passed down over the ages. Visit the goats, bunny, and new piglet as one passes through the barnyard at the old Winchell farmstead enroute to pressing cider in Ashokan’s authentic apple press. With the appetite whetted, one may visit the pavilion where an abundance of food and beverages will be for sale, and Jay Ungar & Molly Mason will perform their musical magic. Then a stroll through the 1885 covered bridge followed by children’s games on the field will make this day a memorable experience for the whole family!

As the Halloween sun begins to set, the pavilion stage lights will begin to shine and Ashokan’s dining hall doors will welcome pre-registered guests for a special autumnal feast. After indulging in Ashokan’s delicious fall fare, folks may venture down to the waterfront and cross the wiggly bridge to the brightly lit pavilion to waltz, contra, and swing the night away dressed for the occasion amongst the other costumes donned for the occasion.

Gates open at 11am with activities throughout the day until 5pm. Dinner will be served at 6pm and the dinner and dance begins at 7:30 pm. A raindate for the day event is scheduled for Sunday, November 1.

For Halloween eve dinner reservations, call (845) 246-2121 or visit www.ashokan.org.

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TIMES
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Saturday, Oct. 31, 2009 11am-5pm.
Dinner 6pm
Dance Workshop 7pm
Dance 8pm

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PRICING
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* Daytime: $5, Children 5-12 $3, Children under 5 free.
* Dance Only: $15, Children 5-12 $5 , Children under 5 free.
* Dinner & Dance: $35 Children 5-12 $12
* Dinner & Dance Overnight Option (incl. Sun. Breakfast): $75
* Children 5-12 $25
* Dinner/Dance price includes free admission to the day festival


For all other info about Ashokan Center’s Fall Festival call (845) 657-8333 x12 or visit www.AshokanCenter.org.

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On Sunday, May 10th the Ashokan Center will roll out its natural welcome mat to mothers and families with a special Mother’s Day celebration – “Ashokan style.” Families can come for a full buffet brunch or stay on to honor mom with the brunch and an herbal body spa, flower and herb potting, and a guided Mother Nature... walk on Ashokan’s bucolic 374-acre site nestled along the Esopus Creek below the Ashokan Reservoir.

Ashokan’s sumptuous all-you-can-eat buffet will feature buttermilk pancakes with real maple syrup, fluffy eggs, bacon, sausage and veggie links, hot & cold cereals, granola, nuts, yogurt, fresh & dried fruit, and beverage.

At “Spa-time,” mother and child can enjoy the luxury of pampering each other with miracle grain scrub, herbal steam, herbal masque, footbath, facial toner and cream – all while enjoying herbal treats and learning the basics of natural ingredients and recipes to create herbal products. Families can make a potted herb or floral gift for mom and take a guided “Mother Nature” walk to see and learn about wild edibles, rocks for tool making and much more. Materials for the pots were donated courtesy of Sunfrost Farms of Woodstock, NY.


Buffet is only $14.95 per person and $7.50 for children under 10 years old. Full day brunch and activities is $35 per person with children free. Group rates are available. Brunch is served from 9:30 to noon. Spa and potting activity begins at 11:00. Reservations are recommended—space for the spa is limited. For more information, visit Ashokan Center’s website at www.AshokanCenter.org, or call (845) 657-8333 x14.
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Honoring the Earth will open the doors of the Ashokan Center to the public for the day offering a variety of workshops and activities for people of all ages. The day will kickoff with an opening ceremony by Barbara Threecrow with a follow-up discussion. After a month of progress, signs of spring will be abundant for ...local resident Violet Snow to lead a “Buds and Bark Walk” during which participants will observe new leaves unfurling while learning to identify trees by their buds, bark, twigs, and growth patterns. A talented and well-known fiber spinner, Sharon LaFera, who has contributed countless hours at Ashokan events, will be demonstrating her skills working with natural threads and yarns. An exhibit called “Native Earth Skills” offered by James Dina will also demonstrate working with natural materials focusing instead on sticks, bark, stones, etc. to make simple, but useful items allowing an opportunity for some hands-on activity by observers. A participatory workshop completing the finishing touches on a clay/cob wood-fired oven will occur throughout the day led by local Olive resident Charlie Blumstein. The Department of Environmental Projection and the Department of Environmental Conservation will also be contributing. Live music will be provided by Ashokan’s own Jay Ungar & Molly Mason in the afternoon.

For the kids, there is a 19th century barnyard with live animals to visit, as well as nature walks to led by instructor/naturalist Jared Kapsiak, as well as activities involving an eye-catching 6-foot inflated earthball.
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