This past weekend saw some of the area’s most-anticipated events: the Callicoon Country Fair (organized by the Callicoon Business Association) and Riverfest (organized by the Delaware Valley Arts Alliance), held on Saturday and Sunday respectively.

As it is most year’s, the July heat brought temperatures into the 80’s and both events enjoyed sunny days.

We wanted to take a moment to shout out these events, both long-running and both bringing in a crowd of people.

It’s not just locals who go, but many visitors too; and not just those who happen to be here vacationing, but those who make a point to come from one or two hours away just for the fairs.

While we can’t calculate the economic impact from this past weekend’s events, we are sure it’s a sizeable contribution.

From vendors selling their wares, to the local businesses in town, we hope it made their time worthwhile to come out and be open.

Our restaurants, coffee shops, clothing and antique stores, and other retail outlets are what draw people to Callicoon and Narrowsburg – and Main Street, America – and we appreciate them immensely (not just on these busy days, but all year round).

It takes a lot to run a business—taxes and fees, supply costs, staffing, and the list goes on. On these demanding summer days, it’s surely even more of a challenge to keep up. And on top of that, sometimes you have to message ruffled feathers of a customer or possible work a little harder because of a staff shortage.

So while the Callicoon Country Fair and Riverfest celebrate our hamlets and our heritage, it also shines a spotlight on all of those who work behind the scenes, and the benefits that events like these bring.

Those attending might see a piece of artwork that they want to buy, but we see a community coming together to provide a place that people want to visit—and keep returning to every year.

Thank you to all the volunteers from the Callicoon Business Association and Delaware Valley Arts Alliance who made this weekend such a resounding success.