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Weekends in September offer a great opportunity to get outside and enjoy farms, fairs, apple picking and end-of-summer festivals. As kids return to school and evenings cool, it's a fine time to find adventure and enjoy healthy activities.
Here are some ideas for weekend fun on Sept. 7-8 in the Capital Region and Hudson Valley.
Wine & Food Fest
The Hudson Valley Wine & Food Festival boasts more than 300 vendors offering specialty foods and drink, arts and crafts. The two-day event features demonstrations from professional chefs and mixologists, live music and more.
Presented by WineRacks.com, the festival has added a New York Craft Beers Pavilion, as well as distilleries and hard cider options.
The festival is held from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday at the Dutchess County Fairgrounds, 6596 Route 9, Rhinebeck. Check the website for different ticket price options.
Food Truck Fest
Sticking with the food festival theme is the Food Truck Festival at Dutchman's Landing in Catskill, located a short drive up the state Thruway from Rhinebeck.
Festivities take place from noon to 6 p.m. at 10 Main St., Catskill. Entrance is free.
County Bounty Tour
Happening further north is the self-guided County Bounty Tour, formerly the Washington County Cheese Tour. The farm tours, taking place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, are filled with food trucks, live music, beer, vineyards, farm animals, farm tours, kid’s activities and lawn games.
Participating businesses include the Victory View Vineyard, Argyle Cheese Farmer, Scotlander Brewing, The Farm Store at Tiashoke, Hicks Orchard & Slyboro Ciderhouse, Rathbun’s Maple, Gardenworks, Yorkmont Farm and South Dominion Vineyard.
The tour is partnering with Comfort Food Community to raise awareness and funds to help end hunger in area communities. Visit https://countybountytour.com for more information.
Butterfly Day
Children and adults can discover the beauty and wonder of butterflies, moths and caterpillars at the Hudson Highlands Nature Center's Butterfly Day from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday at the Outdoor Discovery Campus, located at 120 Muser Drive in Cornwall, Orange County.
Visitors who purchase tickets can get "close and personal" with butterflies for a designated half-hour in the event's Butterfly Tent.
Tickets are $10 for members ages 3 and up; $14 per person for non-members. Children 2 and under are free.
Malta 5K
Hosted by the the Roundabout Runners Club, the 15th Malta 5K road race starts at 8:30 a.m. Saturday at NYSERDA’s Saratoga Technology Park & Luther Forest Technology Campus in Malta.
The annual run supports area first responders and veteran nonprofit organizations. It's raised more than $325,000 since its inception. This year’s beneficiaries include: The Malta Ridge Volunteer Fire Company, the Round Lake Volunteer Fire Department, the Malta-Stillwater EMS and Alliance180.
Event day registration is $40. Children under 12 and adults over 70 are eligible for a $10 discount online. Visit the event's Facebook page for more information.