Celebrating Community and Service: The Red Hook Rotary Club's Apple Blossom Day

The picturesque town of Red Hook, nestled in the heart of the Hudson Valley, is gearing up for one of its cherished annual events, Apple Blossom Day. Scheduled for Saturday, May 10th, from 10 AM to 4 PM, this free event promises an array of activities and entertainment suitable for all ages. With free admission and parking, Apple Blossom Day is set to transform the Red Hook Village center into a vibrant community celebration.

A Festival Rooted in Tradition

For nearly 30 years, the Red Hook Rotary Club has taken pride in organizing this delightful spring festival. As David Wright, an esteemed Rotarian, explains, “Apple Blossom Day is one of two Unity Days in Red Hook, with the second being Hearts Gravel Day in the fall. It's a fantastic community event, supported by the entire community of Red Hook."

Attendees can explore a bustling market of over 768 vendors offering crafts, artisan goods, and delightful culinary treats. The festival's proximity to Mother's Day makes it the perfect occasion to find unique gifts for loved ones. A variety of food options will be available, including local favorites like red hook restaurants and traditional fair foods such as funnel cakes.

The festival will feature an exciting lineup of local entertainment acts, including the much-loved Ana, Local Jam, and the String Masters. Susan Simon, the entertainment chair, enthusiastically remarks, “Our opening act is the uber-popular local band, Ana. They will start the event with their enlivening, enthusiastic, fun music—a great way to kick things off."

Beyond the festivities, Apple Blossom Day also highlights the Red Hook Rotary Club's charitable efforts. The club's foundation, chaired by Carl Doden, funds scholarships for high school seniors across three school districts. Doden shares, "We use donations to sponsor scholarships for high school students and cover the Red Hook, Pine Plains, and Germantown School districts."

A highlight this year is the release of the community cookbook, curated by Rebecca Kent and the cookbook committee, featuring 200 local recipes. Kent explains, "The cookbook includes recipes from the community of Red Hook and beyond, providing a fabulous collection of tried and true recipes." On Apple Blossom Day, the cookbook will be available for $20, serving as a memento of community spirit.

Visitors can support local initiatives by participating in the Clink project, led by Jennifer Van Boies, which raises funds for hygiene products and local food pantries by recycling returnable containers.

For those interested in the broader community impact, the Red Hook Rotary Club also supports the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RILA) and the Rotary Youth Exchange, both designed to empower young leaders and provide them with international exposure.



Contact Information:

To learn more about Apple Blossom Day, visit the Red Hook Rotary Club's website: redhookrotaryclub.org. Here, you can also find details on how to support their various projects and initiatives, or how to order the community cookbook if you can't make it to the event.

Apple Blossom Day is a celebration not to be missed—a day to revel in community spirit, enjoy local arts and crafts, indulge in delicious foods, and support meaningful causes. Join the Red Hook community in marking this special day and making lasting memories.

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