Great American Weekend in Goshen NY Video
Goshen NY Annual Festival Brings Together Community
The 38th Annual Great American Weekend in Goshen NY
Over the extended July 4th Weekend, Orange County and the Hudson Valley area had a chance to visit one of the regions most significant community events, the 38th Annual Great American Weekend in Goshen NY. My family and I have gone for many years, not only for the music and entertainment, antiques and crafters but of course the food!
A Little History
The annual community day extravaganza was initially begun in 1982 to increase attendance at the Goshen Harness Racing Museum after betting was eliminated at the track. Steeped in history Goshen, the area houses such attractions as Harness Museum and Track which opened in 1838, the 1841 Goshen Courthouse, the 1722 Bull Stone House and many others. Once they enter the First Presbyterian Church Park, visitors can easily find plenty of things to do in Goshen, NY
I had a chance to talk with Goshen Chamber of Commerce Executive Director, Barbara Martinez about the event. Extremely excited would be an understatement for how she feels about the event, and you can find more in the video interview with her.
Great American Weekend Highlights:
Vendors:
With over 150 different vendors, there is no shortage of things to find and do. I myself always make sure to pick up two bottles of Chef Tim’s Sweet Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing for my house. At the Hello Cupcake booth, my daughter loved the Chocolate Chip Cookie one so much; she had to have two! I even saw an old co-worker who is diving into her baking business with Two Sweet Girls. From Tattoo studios, like Lady Luck Studio in Goshen and Falun Dafa Yoga to antique dealers surprises await you around every turn.
Arts and Crafts:
We typically love shopping at local crafters, because the unique gifts we give each year are ones that aren’t mass-produced, but instead are ones that crafted by hand, and in this case local hands. From glass and bottle art to wooden signs, custom soaps, you name it! I can’t tell you what we picked up, because it’s being put away until late December…
Entertainment:
Always happy to see and hear the entertaining things that are offered at the Great American Weekend in Goshen, NY. From an acoustic set on Sunday morning from Kevin Finnen, a great Neil Young cover, to the kid’s activities like Macaroni the Clown and the production of “The Grunch” you could spend the day and not be bored.
Oh, yeah, and did you know that inflatable Bull Riding is a thing? I did when I met Ma and Pa, who own Ma and Pa’s Mechanical Bull Rides, traveling wherever you want to have that experience, with an emphasis on fun and safety.
Family Fun:
Not to be outdone, besides some of the kid’s entertainment I mentioned above, there was also a Fair area with Carnival rides and games. Overall the atmosphere was friendly and even better, neighborly, which is why we enjoying going each year.
In Closing...
Special thank you to Goshen Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Barbara Martinez for speaking with me about her city’s event. If you are looking for a place to spend a patriotic time eating great foods, listening to music and entertainment and overall spending a good time with the family, then the Great American Weekend in Goshen NY is the place to be. For more information visit their website at: Great American Weekend 2019
