Catskills Links & Events, Fall 2021: Free Fishing Day, Gondola Rides, a Harvest Festival and more.

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The foliage is just starting to turn in this part of the Catskills: Dry Brook Valley. We have splotches of red, a dash of yellow, and the green is beginning to fade. Go to our Instagram page to watch the fall colors.

The I Love NY fall foliage map that details fall’s progress in New York State gets updated every Wednesday.

The Farmers Almanac explains autumn, the equinox, the foliage and more in this Fall article.

Saturday, September 25th is a Free #Fishing Day in New York, so residents and non-residents don’t need a fishing license to go fishing. Plan your fishing excursion here.

Fall activities at Belleare Mountain. Ride the scenic gondola until October 11th, 2021 or go hiking on one of the many trails over the mountain. Plus get your lift tickets and equipment in advance of 2021. 2021-22 winter season ski pass holders can ride the gondola for free anytime during normal operating hours, excluding special events.

Saturday 25th, September in Halcottsville, The Catskill Forest Association is hosting a Cider Making Demonstration.

Saturday 25th September: the Delhi Harvest Festival in Court Square in Delhi.

For art lovers, The Thomas Cole National Historic site is hosting “Art in the Garden” on October 2nd.

Daily Catskills: 09/21/21 The Last Day of Summer Hay

The last day of summer: a gorgeous morning, cloudless except for the odd wisp overhead and a swathe of stretched gauze on the horizon. Overcast for a few hours late afternoon, clearing before dusk, with a light breeze and a high of 70F. The last day of haying at Lazy Crazy Acres takes place under the full harvest moon.

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Daily Catskills: 09/05/21

Another bleak day like the movie set of a British, 19th century novel adaptation that ends in heartbreak. A morning of rain and an afternoon that’s overcast with layers of weather like someone couldn’t decide what set to use. A high of 66F, humid and highly cinematic.

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Live Music Jam in Halcott Center: Saturday September 11th, 2021 1 – 7pm

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Enjoy an afternoon of live music at Jim Rauter’s Farm in Halcott Center on September 11th, 2021 from 1pm to 7pm. Suggested donation is $20 per person which will be donated to WIOX Radio in Roxbury, NY. Each band will perform a 45-minute set with a 15-minute break in between. All musicians are donating their time and talent to support WIOX!

“This happens to be the 20th year after 9/11, and we will pay due respect,” writes Jim, “but it is also our 11th year of community radio in the Catskills on WIOX”. The radio station is planning a live broadcast of the event. They are hoping to raise $3,000, and would like to see attendance exceed 150 people. 

Bring a chair and pack a picnic. There is plenty of room. The stage will be built off the barn and there will be a lot of parking on the 11-acre hayfield adjoining the barn.The line-up includes the following: Sue’s Garage (classic rock, blues, country); Josh Roy Brown & Friends (country dobro); Adam Ippolito Quartet (used to play with John Lennon, Kool & The Gang); Loren Daniels Trio with our own Andy Cahill; The Unmentionables (original rock from Jersey), and Flannel Jam (90’s covers, also coming up from NJ)”.

Address: Pleasant View Farm, 741 Route 3, Halcott Center, NY. Directions: approximately 4 1/2 miles north of Fleischmanns, take Lake Street off Main Street at Sam’s Country Store in Fleischmanns. 

Catskills’ Weekend Links August 28th & 29th, 2021

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Sign up here for 5K walk around Lake Wawaka (pictured above) in gorgeous Halcottsville August 28th, 2021.

Family Farm Day 2021, Saturday August 28th, 2021 from 10pm to 5pm. Visit their website for the list of farms to visit in Schoharie, Otsego, and Delaware Counties.

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Visit Delaware Pantry in the roadside barn (actually a stable built in 1864) at River Meadow Farm, 21780 NY28, Delhi, NY 13753. We are currently open Thursday through Sunday: Noon to 6 pm. Beginning with collections of local farm and creative products, books and antiques, they hope to evolve into an indoor and/or outdoor space for meetings or small gatherings including art shows and workshops.

Our newest invasive species the Spotted Lantern Fly and how to help eridicate it.

The Conservation Dogs Program of the Lower Hudson Valley. Dogs are trained to patrol the Catskills and seek out invasive species.

The ultimate guide to hiking with your dog from the New York New Jersey Trail Conference.