One of the biggest busiest weekends of the Summer of 2015 is taking place this weekend as three major events are being held in Sullivan County – The Little World’s Fair in Grahamsville, The Bagel Festival in Monticello and Forestburgh Day in Forestburgh.
GRAHAMSVILLE FAIR
The Neversink Agricultural Society presents the 136th Little World’s Fair from Friday until Sunday. The first Grahamsville Fair was held in 1878.
On Saturday, hailed as “New England’s Best Beatles Tribute Band” by The British Beer Company, the Beatles tribute band, Studio Two, will perform in celebration of the 50th anniversary of The Beatles coming to America. Studio Two is a headlining Beatles band that pays tribute to the early Beatles years, choosing songs
For more information on The Grahamsville Little World’s Fair, the longest running independent fair in New York State, please visit http://grahamsvillefair.com/
FORESTBURGH DAY FEATURING FARM ANIMALS
Forestburgh Day held on Saturday from 11 AM to 2PM will not only feature a BBQ, but Philanthropist Stuart Salenger will be displaying many of his farm animals housed on his Philwold property in Forestburgh providing a unique opportunity for children of all ages.
Salenger will also be treating all in attendance to Hagen Daz ice cream.
Alpaca’s, Llama’s, and Cashmere Goats will be displayed. Twin Alpaca’s, Max and Betty will be celebrating their fifth birthday.
Other farm animals featuring “agro-tourism” finished products of different fiber animals will be displayed.
There will also be a reptile display including; small Burmese Mountain Tortoise, Mata Mata Turtle of the Amazon, and the Veiled Chameleon of Yemen, which are now found feral in the State of Florida.
Salenger has turned his private Philwold farm into a Sullivan County gem.
Bendan Roth, Farm Manager at Philwold told me that, “We would like to share some of our farm animals and give a brief education on farming and the raising of livestock. We also would like the town children to enjoy the animals for the day, they bring a lasting impression to young people.”
Discussing the work done at Philwold, Roth said they are committed to animinal preservation such as the Guanaco. “We estimate that we have one of the largest herds of Guanaco in North America. Wildlife Conservation Society (The Bronx Zoo) when it was founded took on the fight of saving the Guanaco from extinction. This case can be compared to the North American Buffalo. It was estimated that over 50 million Guanaco’s had existed and the number is down 95% today.”
In being similar to the North American Buffalo the Guanaco was killed to make way for cattle (pasture and fencing), and for their Fiber (Buffalo being the hide).
The Society and Others have taken steps to stop the slaughter, which unlike Buffalo, continues to this day. “Our breeding program is so successful it caught the attention of the society. They would like some of our Guanaco’s for the Prospect Park Zoo, in Brooklyn.”
Another undertaking at Philwold is the preservation of the Aldabra Giant Tortoise.
“Our mission is to save the tortoise from abuse and act as a shelter when people cannot care for them anymore. Tortoise life span is twice that of a human and often need to be left in wills.”
Roth said the desire of Philwold owner Stuart Salenger is “to take our farm to the next level of production. At the moment we only produce the fiber, the next step is to Mill the fiber for not only our farm but for other Farmers as well. Milling would allow a product to be sold at market. Yarn for knitting and felt. The next step would be having a loom and produce, scarves and sweaters, for example.”
Roth said they are in the process of starting a NOFA certified organic garden at Philwold. “This will allow for self-sustainable practices and also give us a product for market. This will also allow for educational opportunities for farming interns to learn about farming and organic growing. While providing labor to sustain the farm.”
In the future, Salenger plans to open a Farm Stand at the old Train Station in Forestburgh. “We plan to sell organic veggies, milled fiber products, and other items. We also plan to open a mill and greenhouse facility for public viewing across from the Farm Stand, with a tour of the facility with a paddock area to show the animals in conjunction with the milling operations.”
An Orchid growing operation is also being planned to accompany the Mill.
Great work Stuart Salenger!
BAGEL FESTIVAL
On Sunday, The Brainchild of Jeff Siegel, the third Annual Monticello Bagel Festival and Street Fair will be held along Broadway in Monticello.
According to Siegel, Monticello is the birthplace of the bagel, and is now the official bagel capital of the world.
The annual fun event will feature contests, entertainment, and vendors. For further information please visit http://thebagelfestival.org/event/
Please take the time to enjoy these three great events this weekend – You will be glad you did.
Bill Liblick has made a name for himself on National TV Talk Shows where he spouted his outspoken views from the front row. Now he offers you his opinion every week in the “MOUTH THAT ROARS” Column in THE SULLIVAN COUNTY POST.