Featuring Live Jazz, a Crafts Show, Food and Wine Festival, Triathlon and Prestigious Equestrian Event
As summer draws to an end, a new wave of festivities awaits in Westchester County, the first stop in the Lower Hudson Valley. From exciting competitions and outdoor family fun to craft fairs and music festivals, Westchester has so much to explore.
“As the season changes, the activities get even more exciting here in Westchester,” said County Executive Robert P. Astorino. “Whether it’s the ToughMan and ToughKids Triathlon or the SoWe Food and Wine Festival, there is room for everyone to enjoy Westchester.”
The following is a list of upcoming events and attractions:
Get Active
If you’re an athlete or sports enthusiast, get ready. Adults and children can show their strength by participating in the 2014 ToughMan ToughKids Triathlon on Sunday, September 7. It includes a 1.2-mile swim, a 56-mile bike race and a 13.1-mile run in Croton-on-Hudson. There is also a race for children so that the entire family can join in on the fun. Registration for the clinic and course preview is now open for both ToughKids and ToughMan participants on Saturday and Sunday, August 23-24. It allows the perfect opportunity to learn, train and ask questions. The clinics include swimming in the Hudson River, riding the course with coaches and support vehicles, and running the course. For more information or to register, visit www.toughmantri.com.
The American Gold Cup, rated as the United States No. 1 competition by the North American Riders Group, returns to Old Salem Farm on September 10-14, Wednesday through Sunday. The state-of-the-art equestrian sports training and event facility widely recognized by competitors as a premiere venue welcomes elite equestrian athletes, horse owners, VIPs, celebrities, young riding hopefuls along with enthusiastic fans gather to enjoy this extraordinary show jumping event. Amongst a fanfare of family friendly activities such as pony rides, face painting and musicians, spectators delight in exceptional shopping from headliners like Hermes, Lugano Diamonds, Roberto Coin, Orvis and Porsche on boutique row. There are also celebrity sightings and the signature Just World International Horseless Horse Show for kids. Old Salem Farm is located at 190 June Road in North Salem. For more information, visit www.TheAmericanGoldCup.com.
Get Art, Crafts, Music and More
The Lower Hudson Valley’s only corn festival, CORNucopia, returns to Philipsburg Manor in Sleepy Hollow this Labor Day weekend. Featuring a bounty of corn-centric delicacies and a bevy of interactive, corn-related activities, CORNucopia will take place Saturday through Monday, August 30 – September 1, from 10 am to 5 pm each day. All visitors get a free bag of popcorn and other maize-inspired food selections available for purchase include fresh roasted corn, cornbread, corn salad, kettle corn, corn salsa and chips, and corn chili, plus draft beers and draft root beer from Captain Lawrence Brewery. Blue Pig of Croton-on-Hudson will feature sweet corn ice cream. Activities include a corn shucking contest, a barn dance, corn-husk doll and scarecrow making, and play games like Conk the Crow, Cornhole, and Ring-a-Cob in the CORNival gaming area. Live bluegrass and folk music by the Tappan Cowboys will be heard throughout the day. There will also be open-hearth cooking demonstrations using corn as the main ingredient and kids can enjoy a “mini maize maze.” Philipsburg Manor is a living history museum owned and operated by the non-profit Historic Hudson Valley. All CORNucopia proceeds support its education and preservation mission. Tickets are $14 for adults; $12 for seniors; $8 for children 3-17; and free for children under 3 and for Historic Hudson Valley members. Tickets are available online at www.hudsonvalley.org. Philipsburg Manor is located at 381 North Broadway (Route 9) in Sleepy Hollow. For information: 914-366-6900.
September sizzles with a three-day celebration – White Plains Jazz Fest -in downtown White Plains, Tuesday through Sunday, September 2-7. Now in its third year, the highly anticipated event has expanded from three days of performances to a six-day festival that includes Latin, smooth, classic and contemporary styles of jazz – a globally influenced art form that originated in America. ArtsWestchester will be a significant contributor to this year’s festivities, hosting two events in The Arts Exchange, its historic landmark building on Mamaroneck Avenue, and co-hosting a third event with the White Plains Performing Arts Center. For a full schedule of events, visit https://artswestchester.org/aw/2014/08/06/jazz-fest-comes-to-white-plains-september-2-7/.
Re-awaken your spirit at the 30th anniversary of Fall Crafts at Lyndhurst, which takes place Friday through Sunday, September 12-14. Set on the grounds of the grand and historic Lyndhurst, families can discover the unique designs and creative artistry of more than 275 leading artists and crafts people as they exhibit, sell and talk about their work amidst the unique beauty of Lyndhurst’s grounds with magnificent views of the Hudson River. The show will include one-of-a-kind and limited edition jewelry, fashion, and accessories, furniture and home décor pieces, as well as functional and sculptural work in ceramics, glass, metal painting, photography, wood and mixed media. Admission is $12 for an all-weekend pass, $11 for seniors, $4 for children 6-16 years old and free for children under 6 years old. Proceeds benefit the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Lyndhurst is located at 635 South Broadway in Tarrytown. For more information, visit http://artrider.com/lyndf2014.html.
For the foodies and wine lovers, the Southern Westchester (SoWe) Food & Wine Festival is the perfect excuse to indulge with a spouse or a group of friends in a festival that provides loads of fun. The popular event, which takes place Friday through Sunday, September 19-21, will include a Celebrity Chef Battle; a Grand Culinary Village including BBQ, food trucks, wine and beer, as well as celebrity chef demos, live music and a Kids Zone; and a grand tasting event. The three-day event takes place in various locations in White Plains, Mamaroneck and Scarsdale. For more information and a full schedule of events, visit http://sowefwf.com/.
Plan a fall lakeside gathering at Edith Macy Conference Center, conveniently located just 45 minutes from mid-town Manhattan, in Westchester County. Gather friends and family and enjoy its Oktoberfest package with an extensive menu for guests at the mountainside retreat. Outdoor seating and recreation including volleyball, tetherball, badminton, horseshoes, basketball, catch and release and fishing (NYS license required) are included. Also, seating for up to 200 people is available indoors with a fire place, ping pong, foosball, karaoke and board games. For $44.00 per person, guests can enjoy delicious cuisine reflecting the fall season including braised red cabbage, potato pancakes with apple sauce and black forest cake. And Franziskaner or Spaten Oktoberfest beer can be added to the package. The event must take place before October 31. Book before September 15 and receive 50 percent off the lakeside rental fee. Edith Macy Conference Center is located at 550 Chappaqua Road in Briarcliff Manor. For more information, call (914) 945-8097 or visit http://www.edithmacy.com/.
Get Comfy
Enjoy all the festivities then rest at one of many nearby hotels. The Hilton Westchester’s Instant Getaway hotel package includes a complimentary drink upon arrival and in-room breakfast for two, starting at $169 per room. The Hilton Westchester is located at 699 Westchester Avenue in Rye Brook. For more information, call (914) 939-6300 or visit 4http://www3.hilton.com/en/hotels/new-york/hilton-westchester-RYEHIHH/offers/100027669.htm.
For more itineraries, visit http://escapes.visitwestchesterny.com/ and to get the latest events and happenings in Westchester, log onto www.visitwestchesterny.com, like us on Facebook (facebook.com/westchestercountytourism), follow us on Twitter @westchestertour or call 1-800-833-9282. To view the Westchester County Destination Guide, please visit http://digital-editions.mediatwo.com/westchester-destination.
