Fall Foliage Fest Merriment Returns After Missed Year
The petting zoo will return to the festival this year. (Photo by Laura Meyer)
Bike stunts, three bands, alpacas, pony rides, line dancing and a 45’ fire truck where barbecued corn on the cob is served while kids explore the cab--these will be among the offerings at the 28th Anniversary Port Jervis Fall Foliage Festival on Sunday, said organizer Laura Meyer. The 135 vendors far exceed the 50 vendors the festival attracted 11 years ago, but are less than the 150 at the festival before the pandemic, she noted.
“Many vendors are returning, but some won’t come, out of personal choice. Some may have gone out of business,” said Meyer. One missing attraction will be the Roaming Railroad. The owner had to get a job because his train services weren’t needed during the Covid-19 shutdowns.
However, the festival will have 70 merchants and 42 information vendors, including fire departments, banks, health and other service providers and politicians.
“It’s an election year. We have them all,” said Meyer.
The humane society, National Park Service, state police, Tri-State Railway Preservation Society, Port Jervis Shade Tree Commission, Orange and Rockland and Carbon Positive Port Jervis 2026 will all be represented. Hungry visitors can choose from 22 food vendors bringing empanadas, pickles, Polish food, tacos and sausage, and more.
Music will also be abundant. Three bands will perform, rehired after they were booked and then cancelled last year. Glorybound, which includes many farmers, Meyer said, will play country bluegrass. Side FX will offer classic rock. Rock Ridge Band will play ‘60’s, ‘70’s and ‘80’s songs.
“Armonia will play a little of everything,” said Meyer.
A petting zoo with alpacas, cows, pony rides and baby animals will occupy part of the municipal parking lot by Pike St., with a tent for protection from the sun and other elements.
“You can see, touch and feed them,” said Meyer.
A classic car show will exhibit in the municipal parking lot near the promenade. Meanwhile, near Sussex and Ball St., Chris Clark’s bike stunts will have three shows, with Pushing Country line dancing during breaks.
“They’ll teach you how,” said Meyer of the dancers.
Between noon and 2 p.m., the biggest crowds rove.
“They hit every food vendor,” she said.
Meyer actively recruits vendors. She goes to events in other places to see how they operate and talks to vendors. But this year she delayed taking applications.
“We usually start in May, but we started in July this year. We were watching the Covid numbers,” she said.
As for taking precautions about spreading the virus, she said, “We’re working with the county health department. After a year and a half of Covid, I’m in the habit of socially distancing.”
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