Is it Spring Yet? Because These Sneak Peaks are Fresh as a Daisy!

  |  February 27, 2015
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Greetings, Upstater friends and fans! Earlier this week, I — and everyone on Planet Upstate — got a taste of Spring and it made us completely bonkers. I’m not going to go so far as to say that we all stripped down to tank tops and shorts, but I did drive around on Wednesday with the sun roof open and you’ve never seen such a bunch of slap-happy pasty-faced Upstaters as those gathered on the Village Green in Woodstock.

Then it snowed. Again.

With that in mind, I am obsessively looking ahead to Spring and am excited to tell you about two just announced events and openings that will definitely take you to your happy place.

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Radio Woodstock 100.1, which is celebrating 35 years of broadcasting this year, has more than just Mountain Jam on its mind for the warmer months. On May 23 at Cantine Field in Saugerties, the radio station will debut its inaugural Craft Brew Boogaloo, featuring over 150 microbrews, curated located cuisine and some of the best musicians in the area. This destination event is part of the station’s plan to showcase more and more live events in and around the area. Over 75 different local, regional and national breweries will be represented and tickets just went on sale this week — you can choose either a VIP experience with select tastings or a general admission ticket or a “designated driver” ticket which is perfect for those who want to nosh and enjoy sans suds. From what I understand, the eats will be pretty fantastic at Boogaloo, including stalls from local restaurants as well as a nice representation of the excellent Hudson Valley food truck brigade, which grows in size each season.

And you didn’t hear it from me, but stay tuned to Radio Woodstock, as they are planning a HUGE anniversary concert later this year to celebrate its aforementioned 35th… shhhhhh!

Something else to celebrate in May is the launch of Mama’s Boy Burgers, which is taking over the shuttered Smiley’s in Tannersville (one of the most adorable destination towns in the Catskills and just down the road from Hunter Mountain). Proprietor Michael Koegel opened his original Mama’s Boy coffee and sandwich shop in Phoenicia about five years ago, and when the opportunity to expand up the mountain presented itself, through the business incentives offered by The Hunter Foundation, Michael said, “Time to flip the burgers!”

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Mama’s Boy Burgers is so new, they don’t have a website or social media presence yet. See, dear readers? You’re getting a true sneak peek! But Michael has told me that he’s envisioning the place to have a similar vibe to those beloved lobster shacks in Cape Cod… warm and inviting and evoking of the best childhood memories. His single- or double-burger will come in a zillion varieties and he’ll also serve wedge salads, egg sandwiches, Friday fish fries and more than 25 varieties of frozen custard and hard ice cream. Check back with me for an opening date.

In the meantime, it’s still winter here and you’re saying, “Abbe, what am I supposed to do this weekend?” How about this fantastic Sunday Supper event, benefiting the FarmOn! Foundation? Rockstar chefs like Gianni Scappin of Cucina and Market Street and Ric Orlando of New World Home Cooking join esteemed colleagues to present a yumsville multi-coursed meal complete with cocktails (mixed by darling Paul Mahoney from my fav watering hole, Stockade Tavern), along with live music, auction and more.

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The day begins with an afternoon reception and art show at the always amazing Blue Cashew Kitchen Pharmacy, which, if you were wondering, is a perfect place to buy me a little “Spring is nearly here!” pick-me-up present. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have the shovel the driveway. Sigh…

About Abbe Aronson

Abbe Aronson is the grande dame of PR, marketing, media, event planning and “artful schmoozing” here in the Hudson Valley. AbbeDoesIt.com for more of her hijinks!

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