Handcrafted Octoberfest: A Family Harvest Celebration returns to the Dutchess County Fairgrounds on Saturday and Sunday, October 10–11, bringing together more than 100 juried artists and makers, seasonal food and drink, live music, craft demonstrations and family activities.
Produced by Quail Hollow Events, the team behind the nationally recognized Woodstock–New Paltz Art & Crafts Fair, the festival pairs the celebratory spirit of Oktoberfest with the experience of a juried craft show. Visitors can meet the makers and shop for fine art, jewelry, ceramics, woodworking, fiber, glass, leather goods and more.
The beer garden will feature local and imported beer, wine and spirits, while the entertainment tent will host live music throughout the weekend. Hudson Valley band Blue Hill performs Saturday with a mix of rock, blues, country and jazz. On Sunday, singer-songwriter Eric Erickson performs from 10 a.m. to noon, followed later in the day by Coconut Telegraph, a Jimmy Buffett tribute band.
Elsewhere on the fairgrounds, visitors can watch craft demonstrations and see master pumpkin carver Hugh McMahon create relief sculptures from large pumpkins. They can also sample specialty foods and spirits, take a horse-drawn carriage ride and visit the petting zoo. Children can paint pumpkins and engage in other seasonal projects in the dedicated children’s tent. The giant pumpkin weigh-off takes place Sunday afternoon. A pumpkin from Wappingers Falls-based grower Tony Scott may approach 2,000 lbs.
Handcrafted Octoberfest runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days at the Dutchess County Fairgrounds in Rhinebeck, New York. All tickets grant admission on both days. Tickets, the anticipated exhibitor list and additional event information are available at quailhollow.com/handcraftedoctoberfest