Use less gas, have more fun in Orange County

An array of summer ideas in Orange County Events Guide Goshen — There’s always a wide assortment of summer activities going on in Orange County. Located in the Hudson Valley, just one hour north of New York City, with scenic mountains, rivers, farms and forests, the county is a great get-away for tourists. In addition to the numerous parks, historic sites, wineries, museums, shops, and attractions, there are a wealth of summer and fall events. The latest edition of Orange County Events Guide has many suggestions to keep summer interesting and entertaining. Visitors can enjoy the “Before There Was Emeril” cooking program at Knox’s Headquarters, or discover the thrill of “Spying for Washington” at his Revolutionary Newburgh Headquarters. The Sunday evening “Music Under the Stars” concerts are offered at West Point’s Trophy Amphitheater, one of the most scenic places on the Hudson. In Goshen, the Great American Weekend offers crafts and old-fashioned harness racing on the oldest trotting track in the world. There is no better place to appreciate classic cars, trucks and tractors than at the Orange County Farmers Museum “Classic Car Show,” or to celebrate an outdoor production of “Romeo & Juliet” than at Warwick Valley Winery’s Shakespeare in the Orchard. Listen to the magical sounds of rare flutes at Storm King Art Center’s “A Woodwind Celebration,” or watch some of America’s fastest motorcycle racers at the “AMA Nasmoto Supermoto Grand Prix of New York” at Oakland Valley Race Park. Visit the 165th Orange County Fair in Middletown, or bring your treasures to Brotherhood Winery in Washingtonville for appraisal on “ABC Day.” Walk on stilts at Museum Village’s “Children’s Weekend,” or drift along on a narrated boat ride along the D&H Canal at the Neversink Valley Area Museum. Sample the produce of Hudson Valley farms and wineries at the Thayer Hotel’s “Nouveau Hudson Valley Festival” or visit six different Warwick area farms as part of “A Day on the Farm.” There’s plenty for everyone. For details on these, plus many more wonderful events, call Orange County Tourism Office at 291-2136 to request a free copy of the Orange County Events Guide (June through October) or visit www.orangetourism.org for the most complete calendar of happenings.