Hudson Valley Pollinator Festival

On Saturday and Sunday, June 7 and 8, the Warwick Valley Winery & Distillery and Orange Environment, Inc (OE), a nonprofit environmental advocacy group, will host the third-annual Hudson Valley Pollinator Festival from 12 to 5 p.m.

Stop in at the Winery, located at 114 Little York Road, and stroll through the market fair and Pollinator Demo Garden and learn about the importance of pollinators and their crucial roles in supporting Orange County’s vibrant agricultural and gardening communities.

There will be a variety of artisanal vendors, artists, educational stations, a British Car Show, Craft Fair, nature-themed jewelry, and a SUNY OCCC table where you can learn about Sugar the Mastodon, and more. Bring family and friends, relax on the patio, eat great food prepared by students and chefs from the Culinary Institute of America and sample their popular butterfly-themed tacos. Also listen to an Allman Brothers Tribute Band and Tom Petty Tribute Band featuring appropriately the “Wild Flowers” album.

Recommended donation $5 at the door or at market.wvwinery.com. All proceeds go to funding OE’s Hudson Valley Pollinator Project.

The Hudson Valley Pollinator Project (HVPP) was developed by Joseph Grizzanti and OE’s Anne Wibiralske to help people transform part of their grassy lawns into beautiful native plant gardens to attract their favorite butterflies and other pollinators. Then visit OE’s Native Plant Sale and choose from a great selection of perennial flowers to help restore pollinator habitat.

For more information on this and OE’s other programs, log onto www.orangeenvironment.com.