In the Catskills this weekend and have no idea how to celebrate Memorial Day? Here's our picks of the best of the weekend's parading, feasting, and memorializing.
Tannersville Rubber Duck Race & Crazy Boat Race
First, hundreds of rubber duckies go head to head. Then, vessels decked out in their wackiest decorations compete for the title of "Craziest Boat." There are cash prizes for both events. Spectators are invited to trick out any canoe or kayak and join in.
The Walton Historical Society's Civil War Reenactment
These Civil War re-enactors actually camp out at the Delaware County fairgrounds the night before they spend all day firing cannons at each other. Food and crafts abut the North battling the South, and there's a parade to the fairgrounds through the town of Walton beforehand. Admission and parking are both free.
Woodstock - New Paltz Art & Crafts Fair
There's loads of crafts, of course, but there's also music, food, kids' activities, and demonstrations at this twice-a-year juried art show. YouTube user Simonsezproduction made a short video about it in 2007:
Need a step dancing fix? East Durham is a proud Irish outpost in the Catskills, and every year it hosts a packed lineup of "high energy Irish music," step-dancing, pipe bands, and an entire music tent aimed just at kids. You can indoctrinate them into step-dancing right on the premises -- classes are offered on-site.
Fleischmanns Memorial Day Street Fair
The village of Fleischmanns does old-timey better than anybody. They doll their Memorial Day street fair up with horse-drawn carriages and vintage baseball matches, and live music, food and merriment will abound.
It's not just a grueling 70-mile canoe race, although it does happen to be the "longest single day flat water canoe race in the world." The General Clinton Canoe Regatta is also an excuse for the village of Bainbridge to host four days of fireworks, a craft fair, a "Red Neck Tractor Parade," a music festival, a 5K run, and, of course, the town's Memorial Day parade, which begins at 10am on Monday. Here's a clip of the 2008 race, shot by YouTube user toaoemerald.
There's lots more going on around the Catskills this weekend. For more Memorial Day weekend events, check out our calendar at www.watershedpost.com/calendar.
