An Active New York Fall Brings New Life to Customers and Vendors
A mix of kettle corn, apple cider donuts, pickles, and barbecue smells filled the air, signaling that fall festivals have hit the Hudson Valley. Hundreds of people spiritedly went around to the vendors to enjoy the variety of eats, homemade goods, and artisan crafts. Anyone observing or experiencing the event would think this Walktober Fest was during any other normal fall season, as the event was a safe celebration for the past endured year.
“We have amazing producers in the Hudson Valley that, especially during COVID time, that they couldn’t open the restaurant, they couldn’t open their farm to the public,” said Jami Anson, director of special events at the Walkway Over the Hudson. “But because we’re an open-air market and we can do social distance farm market, we were able to have this event.”
Setting up this event for a safe experience by all was no small feat, as Anson had 156 vendors, which she sold out five months ago, and had calls coming in constantly by people inquiring for spots. “That is the 87th vendor calling today,” she said mid-interview.
Knowing the number of vendors she was getting and the crowd that would flock to the Walkway, Anson hired Twenty21 Solutions, a New York State COVID compliance officer.
“Basically, we’ve gone more above and [beyond, and] the compliance company said this about us is that we were proactive, we were the first company that went to search out New York State COVID compliance officer so that we can remain safe for the customers that come,” said Anson.
The market was free to the public to walk around and shop, however, the tasting area required tickets and QR code set up by Twenty21 Solutions. This was for customers to answer questions about their symptoms, recent traveling, etc. before making their way down a one-way path that was placed to allow no overlap. In addition, there was no dining tent or designated area for eating. Rather, there were high-top tables with pumpkins and mums spread throughout the area so people can still place their food down to eat, but not too close to others. Twenty21 and Anson also had hand sanitizer stations spread throughout the event and hired a cleaning company to clean the bathrooms every 15 minutes.
As for masks, Anson mentioned it was up to the individual as New York State does not have a mask mandate. Twenty21 recommended that attendees be vaccinated and masks be worn and/or have one on hand. Temperature guns and COVID rapid test kits were on site and could have been administered as needed per their COVID safety plan.
“There is no ‘being back’ until we are able to produce events like we did prior to March of 2020 without protocols or needs for our services, which we truly look forward to,” said Valen Golden of Twenty21 Solutions. “In the meantime, with events like those produced by the Walkway at which precautions are being proactively addressed to give attendees peace of mind while still being able to have fun and enjoy themselves, we are being able to transition from the year of lockdown that we all experienced and that the event and entertainment industries largely felt the pain from.”
For the vendors, this Walktober Fest was a blessing to their pockets, as many of them had few chances to sell their goods during the pandemic. For Debbie Hutchinson, owner of Special Clay Work, this was her first time selling her handmade, one-of-a-kind, wearable ceramics. After many craft fairs being canceled last year and even indoor events still not happening this year, she was excited to be in this fall atmosphere.
“It’s been really good. A lot of people are out here shopping and the weather is great,” said Hutchinson. She believes people are more likely to go out to these events this year, than in the past year, as is she. Hutchinson plans to go to 12 to 15 craft fairs this year.
Anson had a vendor call her, expressing how thrilled he or she was that Anson was able to put on the Walktober Fest because he or she was not able to pay his or her mortgage and the house would have been lost.
The Walkway was never closed during COVID. There was a lessening of people on the bridge at the start because of a fear of being outside or quarantine, however, that loosened over time. Walktober Fest 2020 was one of the only events that had this market during COVID last year, with the blessing of Ulster County and Dutchess County.
“This has been the most joyful event I’ve ever done in 30 years because I think it’s just the idea of people being able to be outside, and to enjoy themselves and to do shopping and be with their family, and start living a normal life,” said Anson.
Vendors were able to make their living once again and customers bought fresh produce and local homemade goods that they’ve been craving. It’s been a realization that there is human life still in a New York fall.
