By Patricia Breakey
The sixth annual Margaretville Cauliflower Festival runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday in the Village Park.
The celebration of rural lifestyle and agricultural heritage is sponsored by the Greater Margaretville Chamber of Commerce. It features food, fine crafts, history, children's activities and afternoon entertainment.
The event is free and will be held rain or shine. A full list of events, maps and directions are available at www.cauliflowerfestival.com/mapsandparking.htm.
Among the entertainment options are Fleischmanns' famous fiddler Hilton Kelly and his Sidekicks, who will play with the Catskill Mountain Boys at 1 p.m. Kelly's wife, Stella, plays keyboard along with guitarists Don Irwin and Don Strausser. Fiddler Henry Hermann, accordion player Connie Mohar and John VanBenschoten on banjo comprise the Catskill Mountain Boys.
The Schoharie Valley Cloggers will demonstrate Appalachian clogging performed to recorded country and western tunes at 12:30 and 2 p.m. The group's 14 members are from the Catskills.
Fresh, local food will also be a featured at the festival.
Cooking demonstrations will take place in the pavilion from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. coordinated by Jessica Backus-Foster, chef/instructor at SUNY Delhi's Hospitality Management Program.
Guest chefs, assisted by State University College of Technology at Delhi students, will prepare dishes using locally grown food items, including grass-fed beef, cauliflower, potatoes, apples and maple sugar. A taste will be available along with recipes and tips on selecting, handling, preparing and serving.
Professional and amateur cooks will prepare cauliflower dishes to be featured at the annual cook-off. Judging will be Victor Arnao, the New York State Restaurant Association Educational Foundation's Culinary Educator of the Year in 2004.
Arnao, a former Margaretville resident, has been hospitality, culinary and pastry arts instructor at Ulster County BOCES Career and Technical Center in Port Ewen since 1999. During the demonstrations, he will prepare cauliflower maple bisque.
Area farmers and members of Pure Catskills, a branding and buy local campaign, will be featured in the Watershed Agricultural Council's tent. A variety of produce, including cauliflower by the bushel and homemade products from syrup to soap, will be available for sale.
Cauliflower T-shirts, the booklet and video "When Cauliflower was King," and a cookbook will be sale in the Chamber tent.
Other events at the Margaretville Cauliflower Festival include:
ä Artisans "" More than two dozen will display and sell jewelry, pottery, artwork, calligraphy and origami, herbal treasures, glass creations and more. Demonstrations will be provided by spinner/weaver Tabitha Gilmore-Barnes and wood crafter Joe Hartmann.
ä Tractor Parade "" A new event that will form at Lauren Davis' farm adjacent to the Village Park. At 11:45 a.m., the tractors will circle the festival perimeter. They will then be on display.
ä Magic "" Arthur Martello will perform in the magic tent twice. He has been a member of the Society of American Magicians and the International Brotherhood of Magicians, Order of Merlin, for 35 years.
ä Barrel Train "" The Catskill Mountain Antique Engine and Machinery Club will give rides to children. Built by Mark Wilbur and Tony Hunt, the train is run by club volunteers. The train is free, but donations are accepted.
ä Surrey rides "" The rides are horse-drawn.
ä Jason's Frogs, Bugs and Animals "" Touring the grounds inside a wagon.
ä Strich family's petting zoo "" Features goats, donkeys and bunnies. They will also give pony rides, accepting donations for the care of the rescued animals sheltered at their Woodchuck Springs' farm in Halcottsville.
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Patricia Breakey can be reached at 746-2894 or at stardelhi@stny.rr.com.
