Festivals Announced as Part of New Butternut Valley Days Event

MORRIS—Butternut Valley Alliance is preparing for the inaugural Butternut Valley Days event, three days of festivals and activities taking place the final two weekends in August.

BVA is partnering with Central New York Cycling, Morris Central School, the Butternut Valley Grange, the Gatehouse and GEM Sculpture Park to present events throughout the Butternut Valley.

“When we found out that several community partners were planning festivals during the same two weekends, we saw an opportunity to bring them together under one banner,” said Cassandra Miller, executive director of Butternut Valley Alliance. “Butternut Valley Days highlights events presented by organizations across the valley and encourages people to explore everything our communities have to offer throughout August.”

The series begins Saturday, August 22 at Butternuts Beer and Ale in Garrattsville with three events presented by BVA.

The day opens with the Hellbender 5K cross-country run at 9:30 a.m., followed by the Butternut Valley Gravel Grinder at 11 a.m. The cycling event includes 16- and 48-mile routes and is co-sponsored by BVA and CNYC.

The free Summer Harvest Festival will take place from 1-6 p.m. and includes live music, food and beverages, vendors, and activities. Participants include the Utica Zoomobile, New York Wildlife Rescue Center, a display of Native American artifacts, face painting, a bounce house and artisan vendors. Musical performances will be provided by Killdeer Trio, Barnyard Saints, Hard Job and Kathook.

Butternut Valley Grange will host a harvest dinner at 6 p.m. in Gilbertsville. The day concludes with a free outdoor movie at 7 p.m. at Morris Central School, presented by Student Voices, Student Choices.

The second day of events is Sunday, August 23 with the Morris Music Festival, presented by The Gatehouse from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. The free festival includes live music, food, coffee, yoga and other activities. Scheduled performers include Trio Afinado, Yolanda Bush Trio, Carl and Jack, Yana King, Khalil Jade, Andrew Carrington, Jimi Hendrix Trio, Healing Love Water, John Houshmand, and Blue Stone Orchard.

The series concludes on Saturday, August 29 with the free GEM Art and Music Festival from 3-8 p.m. at GEM Sculpture Park. Musical performances include Jimi Hendrix Jazz Trio, Half a Pow with Chris Riffle, Khalil Jade and Liam Herbert, and Dani Delwyn and The Kelvin Crows.

The festival also includes a cruise-in car show, face painting, a juggler and an open all-ages park. Attendees are encouraged to bring a lawn chair or blanket. A water station will be available.

For more information about BVA, visit butternutvalleyalliance.org or e-mail info@butternutvalleyalliance.org.