Sugar Loaf is open for business

To the Editor: For 39 years the Sugar Loaf Fall Craft and Music Festival has provided the quintessential autumn experience. Despite Hurricane Irene's fury this village of more than 30 artisans, shops, restaurants and multiple performing arts theaters is more than ready welcome visitors once again from the tri-state area. Getting into the artisan hamlet has been a problem since Hurricane Irene destroyed our main entrance. Crews are working to repair the damage in time for the festival, but in the meantime Sugar Loaf merchants have seen the volume of visitors dwindle as there are now only alternative side roads to enter the business district. Visitors can enter from the south (Warwick) on Kings Highway or from Pine Hill Road. Sugar Loaf's Farmers Market has been forced to cancel the remainder of its season because of the road closure and the loss of its farmer due to flooding. Other than the collapse of the main road (County Route 13) into Sugar Loaf there is no damage, and the shops, theaters and restaurants are all preparing for this most important fall and holiday season. Visitors need to know that Sugar Loaf is open for business and one of the top festivals in the Hudson Valley will be ready for the ultimate autumn weekend. Kevin G. Kern Sugar Loaf