Customers can stop by Metal & Stone Jewelers now through February 14th for the store’s “Wishlist Event” where they choose items for hopeful fulfillment.

Long Path Outfitters x West Mountain Guide Co. will be hosting a Valentine’s sunset hike to the top of Hook Mountain on February 16th. Sign-up now and the store will send you all the info you need. Cost includes expert guiding from West Mountain Guide Co and a camp meal from Good-to-Go at the top! Group will meet at 4pm. Headlamps for the hike down required, micro spikes strongly encouraged (and might be required depending on the weather!). Everyone who signs up gets a discount card to be used at the shop! You can find all the pertinent information here.

Tell someone you love them with a Valentine’s Day box of “I LOVE YOU” donuts from Boxer Donut & Espresso Bar. Order must be placed by February 11th for pickup on February 13th or 14th. You can find more information here.

Planning a visit to the area and looking to keep your visit simple? Hotel Nyack‘s own FARM Restaurant has a special Valentine’s Day Prix Fixe Menu (3-courses, $75 per person) so that you can pair your stay with an easy meal before you hit the hay.

Photo Credit: Scott & Joe

Unsure what to get your special someone? You can never go wrong with food…or more specifically, a food tour by Joey G.’s Nyack Food Tours! You can view more details about the two tours happening during Love Week below – a Beers & Cheers Tasting Tour on Friday, February 9th and a Winter Comfort Foods Luncheon Tour on Saturday, February 10th. You can read more about the two tours here and gift cards are also available for purchase.

More into cheesy gifts? Scott & Joe only serves up the best kind of cheesiness and Valentine’s Day is no exception. This year, the shop is offering a special Valentine’s Day Collection featuring artisanal crackers with edible flowers, woody rosemary, fresh dill and chive, sour cherry pomegranate conserve, maritime lavender honey, hand-dipped dark chocolate figs, cremeux des citeaux triple cream brie, and a tiny fresh posy – all packaged in a beautiful pink box. Available while supplies last with some substitutions available. Pick-up is in-store on Wednesday, February 14th only.

Still in the mood to celebrate a little beyond February 14th? Check out the Dancin’ Machine 70s Disco Tribute Event at the West Gate Lounge on Friday, February 16th. Doors open at 8pm, admission is $20 – a perfect way to close out Love Week in town!

The post Celebrate Love the Nyack Way appeared first on  Visit Nyack.

As this year’s Valentine’s Day is right in the middle of the week, why not make it a “love week” spanning the weekends before and after with a string of dates in Nyack. Here are 10 ideas how to celebrate your love:

Photo Credit: Salonniere Coffee Bar

Photo Credit: Caroline Scimone

1-That’s Amore – Enjoy a glorious bowl of handmade pasta at DPNB Pasta & Provisions and then head up the street to see Italian American Reconciliation at the charming Elmwood Playhouse. To impress your date even more: enroll in an Italian conversation and culture class at Salonniere.

2-Paint the Town – Get inspired at the Edward Hopper House Museum & Study Center and the Perry Lawson Gallery next door. Then head up to Black Parakeetz to paint, sip and sing yourself. Body painters? Get matching tats at Vanguard Tattoo and then toast them with a Boxer donut – or something stronger at the Old Village Inne.

3-Treasure Hunters – There are so many great thrift stores, antique stores and other unique stores to discover GOLD! Go on the hunt together. Map/List>>>>

Photo Credit: Boxer Donut & Espresso Bar

4-Global Travelers – Spin a globe and pick a cuisine. You’ll find all these international cuisines in our tiny village without having to book a plane ticket: Ukrainian, Tibetan, Dominican, Peruvian, Filipino, French, Vietnamese, Thai, Italian, Greek, Irish, Mexican, Japanese. Even Southern USA! Or book a tour with Joey G’s Food Tours to enjoy bites at many! To see the full restaurant list >>>

5-Jazz it Up – Swanky, dark bars at Hudson House, The Greekish and The Local get you in just the right mood to sway. Then head to Maureen’s Jazz Cellar or Casa del Sol for live music. All the music options coming up>>>

6-Your love is fire – Snap a cute pic of yourselves in front the historic main street fire house and grab a bite next door at La Dolce Vita. Anything bought at Genalisa Lingerie will help fan the flames.

Photo Credit: Scott & Joe

7-Hike hand in hand – Grab picnic goodies at Scott & Joe and cute mittens at Long Path Outfitters.

8-Early risers – Love lives in the pancakes at Strawberry Place and the Breakfast and Burger Club. And loads of ooooh la la at Patisserie Didier Dumas.

9-Book Worms Unite – Grab a latte at the Art Café and the historic Andrew Carnegie-donated Nyack Library. Stroll over to the Carson McCullers House. And then browse Nyack’s three local book sellers: Pickwick, Big Red Books, and Main Street Beat.

10-Love & Games – A cozy living room to play board games, pour your own craft brews, and nibble delicious Vietnamese fare at Mekong District.

And if lots of dates go really well…hey…get a room at Hotel Nyack and/or get married or renew your vows in a beautiful setting & for a good cause with The Angel Nyack!

Photo Credit: Nyack Seaport – Rick Helman Photography

The post 10 Great Dates in Nyack for “Love Week” appeared first on  Visit Nyack.

“We are both passionate amateur cyclists who love good coffee,” Michelle says. “We felt that cycling and coffee are intrinsically linked so we merged the two worlds.”

Located at the end of the Mario Cuomo Bridge inside the former South Nyack Village Hall, the café welcomes cyclists (of course), hikers, walkers, work from home employees needing a change of scenery, families with children, and last but not least, pets. In an area of town where there are no other food and drink establishments within the immediate vicinity, this sweet spot offers its customers a selection of nearly everything one could want – fair trade organic coffee from New Jersey’s Fair Mountain Coffee Roasters, teas, baked goods, sandwiches, fruit salads, vegan overnight oats, smoothies, ice cream, and fruit popsicles. Besides the culinary draw, the shop has a large private parking lot, tons of bike racks, spacious indoor and outdoor seating areas, a big deck with an outdoor ordering window, and an original fireplace which is always lit on cold days.

“Everyone is welcome at our café,” Mario says. “We were lucky that we were almost instantly accepted in the local community.”

Prior to opening Coffee Ride, Mario worked in the food industry for over 14 years and is a contractor; Michelle does product development in the corporate world. The two of them fell in love with Nyack after years of bike riding around the area and visiting local shops and restaurants. Taken together, the dynamic duo was able to create a beautiful space with free WiFi, a rustic modern décor, and a cozy ambiance.

When asked about the future of their business, the Pemberthys are optimistic about the potential for growth and community building.

“I see our café thriving,” Michelle says. “We would love to open multiple locations and work with other local businesses for collaborations and unique events. We have a family-friendly pumpkin and face painting event coming up at the end of this month and a local chess club that meets here every Friday afternoon. We hope to host more adult events this winter along with promoting different group rides and much more! We also rent out our space for private events.”

Coffee Ride Café is located at 282 South Broadway and open daily 7am-5pm. You can learn more about current promotions and events by following their social media pages @coffeeridecafe (Instagram) and Coffee Ride Café (Facebook). To place pickup orders online, click here!

Photos courtesy of Michelle Pemberthy / Coffee Ride Café

The post Coffee Ride Cafe Gives Former South Nyack Village Hall a Caffeinated Boost appeared first on  Visit Nyack.

Good things come in small packages, so the saying goes…but good things also come in fall packages! So, if you want a small, fall package, look no further than Nyack. Our village packs over a hundred businesses and a rich array of recreational, entertainment and cultural opportunities into just over one walkable square mile. For autumn in particular, Nyack has a full calendar of events and family-friendly activities to help you celebrate the season to the fullest.

“Nyack is the perfect place to enjoy the Hudson Valley’s autumn glow,” said Thomas Schneck, President of the Visit Nyack Board. “We encourage everyone to combine Nyack events with our special blend of memorable experiences. Nyack offers it all – in a beautiful, memorable riverside community.”

Whether you are a fall enthusiast or go into hibernation mode as soon as the temperatures begin to drop, Nyack has a little something for everyone. Read more below for a sampling of our autumnal offerings!

Phoenix Festival: Live Arts in Nyack

Live theatre and wildlife coexisted on Nyack’s stage for the Phoenix Festival. (Photo courtesy of Phoenix Theatre Ensemble)

In 2022, Nyack joined the roster of world-class arts events with  Phoenix Festival: Live Arts in Nyack, an annual celebration of classical theater, music, local culture, and the creative spirit of community. Over its five inaugural weekends in September and October 2022, the Festival presented both live and outdoor performances against the majestic vistas of the Hudson River and the lively, jazzy riverside village of Nyack. In 2023, the critically-acclaimed Festival expanded its programming to include four indoor and outdoor productions, partnerships with Children’s Shakespeare Company and Emotions Physical Theatre, and special events all over downtown Nyack. The Festival also offers a spotlight for local Nyack nonprofits, along with opportunities for students and volunteers to get up-close and hands-on with live performance. Stay tuned for more information on Phoenix Festival 2024!

The Festival is hosted and produced by the Phoenix Theatre Ensemble, an internationally recognized leader in creative contemporary theater and winner of multiple prestigious awards for excellence in theater arts. Founded in New York City in 2004, the Ensemble is proud to make Rockland County its second artistic home. PTE Artistic Director Elise Stone and PTE Executive Director Craig Smith serve as the Festival’s leadership, engaging local, county and New York State institutions, educational organizations, businesses and non-profits in support of the Festival.

Nyack’s Famous Street Fairs

Anyone who knows Nyack knows the street fairs – five each year in spring, summer, and fall – a Nyack tradition for well over three decades. Maybe even the most seasoned veterans of the village have lost track of the years, but the basic premise has remained the same: Crafts, jewelry, food, live music, clothing, gifts, art, antiques, specialty items — offered by hundreds of vendors and local merchants. Thousands of people come. Many come back – and stay.

Nyack Halloween Parade

Every year, the Village of Nyack and the Chamber of Commerce proudly present the most hair-raising Halloween celebration this side of the Hudson — ranked by Travel Channel as one of the Top 10 Halloween parades nationwide. Dancing ghouls, marching bands, wild costumes, fantastic floats, live entertainment, and more. Great prizes for the best floats and costumes.

Rockland Fashion Week (Photo Courtesy of Hope Wade)

Rockland Fashion Week

Produced by Nyack’s Hope Wade Designs, Rockland Fashion Week (RFW) tfocuses on Rockland as a growing hub for fashion design and manufacture, and includes local pop-up shops, as well as educational sessions on the “business of fashion” at local middle and high schools around the county. A mini fashion show (including one for dogs) leads up to the main event. RFW culminates in a gala runway event at Palisades Center in West Nyack featuring local fashion designers.

Nyack’s Weekly Farmers Market: Thursdays,  8am-2pm

Families love the Farmers Market, every Thursday year-round featuring live music, fresh goods from local farms and artisans, and plenty of kid-friendly activities.

In addition to the aforementioned events, Nyack makes it easy to combine events with shopping, dining, or recreation in a day trip or whatever a weekend itinerary might require. One draw for shoppers who like to marry a good deal with a good meal is the tempting array of casual eateries and fine dining establishments that put Nyack on the map as a haven for food enthusiasts.

“Nyack is a top destination for dining in the Hudson Valley,” said Mark Davidoff, Visit Nyack Board member, and director, Rockland Community College Culinary Arts and Hospitality Center. “Our village is a hub for both culinary arts education, and for the final product – the best food on the plate for the discerning diner.”

Local hotels offer package stays with discounts and specials at restaurants, shops and personal service establishments.  The river is Nyack’s jewel in the crown – majestic Hudson vistas from the shore, hikes at the river’s edge or Hook Mountain ridge, or fun on the river itself – sailing, kayaking and water sports as summer stretches into fall.

Here’s a quick drone’s-eye view:

Photo Courtesy of RCC Culinary Institute

Dining and food: Nyack offers 50+ restaurant options from pubs to world-class gourmet menus for those who like choice; themed food tours for those who like to explore; award-winning cooking classes at the Culinary Arts Institute for those who like to make their own; and a year-round Farmers Market every Thursday for those who want to connect with food, farms, friends and fun.

Shopping: Nyack is a hub for the unique, one-of-a kind, hard-to-find-anywhere-else purchase. Also, a place for buyers who are interested in sustainably sourced goods, original fashion, handmade items (which customers may help create) and, overall, a personal shopping experience – often delivered with a sense of humor, always with plenty of time to browse, discuss and decide.

Entertainment and the arts: Nyack’s bustling night-and-day life offers theater and music of all genres, classic plays, musicals, jazz, rock, blues, drumming, karaoke, open mic nights, salsa music and dancing, classical concerts and a cluster a music-related businesses offering music lessons, instruments, and recording capabilities. Nyack is also home to a thriving art community, hosting contemporary art shows, workshops, curated film screenings, poetry reading, art classes and camps for kids, pop-up art events and more.

Biking Nyack Beach State Park (Photo Credit: Caroline Scimone)

Recreation: Opportunities for hiking, biking, and river sports in Nyack are among the best in the Hudson Valley. Access to the Governor Mario M. Cuomo bridge path is within minutes of the village — with sweeping views of the river to the north and south. For those who want to get their toes wet, launch your kayak from Nyack Beach State Park or board sailing charters from Nyack marina. Hiking-wise, you can “find your long path” through guided hikes organized by Long Path Outfitters in collaboration with West Mountain Guide Co. and take in stunning river views and unlimited leaf-peeping opportunities. For those who want to ‘catch some air,’ there’s always the option for a quick spin at the riverside skateboarding park, recognized by ‘skaters’ as one of the best in the region.

Culture and history: Home to civil rights leaders, artists, writers, Nobel Prize winners, movie stars, and many far-from-ordinary hard-working people, Nyack has a deep multicultural history with fascinating stories to tell. Those stories are well told by the Historical Society, Nyack Library, Hopper House Museum and other organizations, offering tours, exhibitions and special programs – all accessible in town, online, or via phone.

Relaxation and personal services: With all the activity going on in Nyack, it’s still possible to relax in one of the village’s top-flight salons, spas or barber shops offering premium personal care services. See visitnyack.org for information.

Enjoy life. Enjoy Nyack.

The post FALL in love with Nyack appeared first on  Visit Nyack.

Photo Courtesy of Peter Saluk

On Thursday, August 17^th, high-end sports cars, custom-built supercars, and rare exotics lined the streets of downtown Nyack for the village’s second Exotic Car Night event. Auto aficionados, car enthusiasts, and kids of all ages strolled this special summer evening celebration of vehicular “wow,” with many of the 5,000+ crowd arriving for the 5pm roll-in and lingering until 10pm.

Spanning Main Street between Franklin to Broadway, the event showcased a spectacular sampling of 160 high-performance and rare vehicles from Porsche, Ferrari, Lamborghini, and other top-flight makers, all on display for close-up viewing and great photo ops.

“Our first Exotic Car Night back in 2021 began as a collaboration between car enthusiasts and local businesses – a way to display beautiful cars for the public to enjoy, while supporting Nyack’s downtown, which was recovering from the pandemic at the time,” said Roger Cohen, President of the Nyack Chamber of Commerce. “Working with the community, we were able to create an evening where people could get out and enjoy what Nyack has to offer while surrounded by amazing cars.”

For this year’s event, the Chamber partnered with Montefiore Nyack Foundation as well as the local business community. The roster of supporters includes Congers Collision, Hudson Spectacles, Northern Racing Unlimited, RTN Race the North, R2M Realty, Inc., The Henry Food & Beverage Co., Torrent Motorworks, and the Village of Nyack.

“Nyack is the perfect setting for this show – a place where you can see and sample one-of-a-kind shops, specialty services, great dining…anything from the perfect gift, to the perfect meal to the perfect car, or at least a car to dream about,” said Mark Mangan, event manager. “It’s great to see people enjoying this show, life in Nyack, and everything our special village has to offer.”

The post Second Annual Exotic Car Night Packs Nyack Downtown with Vehicular “Wow” appeared first on  Visit Nyack.

For those seeking a healthy dose of feel-good outdoor fun, Nyack is just the place.

 

Located 24 miles north of New York City on the banks of the Hudson in beautiful Rockland County, Nyack offers great opportunities to share time and enjoy life with family and friends – hundreds of experiences and events all season long that make for great day trips, weekend get-aways and longer stays.

 

“Rockland is the gateway to the Hudson Valley,” said Lucy Redzeposki, Rockland’s Director of Economic Development and Tourism. “The county is rich in history, culture and natural beauty, with much to offer visitors from local communities and from around the world. Nyack is a great introduction.”

 

Views of the river – from nearly every angle – are spectacular. It’s also easy to experience the river itself. Boat charters and water sports launch from Nyack’s marina at the east end of Main Street.

 

Photo Courtesy of Edward Hopper House Museum & Study Center

A visit to Nyack would be incomplete without a meal in one of Nyack’s top-flight restaurants, casual eateries or cozy pubs, paired with shopping in the village’s one-of-a-kind boutiques. For those interested in the arts, a visit to the Edward Hopper House Museum and Study Center or a show at the Elmwood Playhouse are within steps of the village center. For those with kids, Memorial Park boasts a shaded playground and a splash pad open from Memorial Day to Labor Day. The weekly Farmers Market is itself an event, with live music, activities for the kids and fresh goods from local farms and artisans.

 

“Nyack is a treasure trove packed into an area of just over one walkable square mile,” added Nyack Mayor Don Hammond. “Your list of activities in and around Nyack might include hiking Hook Mountain, walking or biking across the Governor Mario Cuomo Bridge, or a leisurely riverside stroll in Nyack Beach State Park on an easy, level path right at the edge of the Hudson.”

 

For visitors looking for evening entertainment, live music and comedy shows abound in the center of town while Nyack’s hotels offer comfortable accommodations for weekday and weekend overnight stays.

 

Photo Credit: Chris Carroll

“Nyack is all about enjoying life,” said Nyack Chamber President Roger Cohen. “And now is the time to get out and celebrate the season.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

---

Next up on the Nyack agenda:

 

June 19 – Juneteenth Celebration

June 27 – Music on the Hudson (Tuesday series launch)

July 4 – Fourth of July Fireworks

July 6 – Jazz in the Garden (Thursday series launch)

July 7-8 – Basketball Tournament

July 8 – Rockland Masters Rowing Regatta

July 9 – Street Fair

July 10 – Classic Car Night

A complete list of events and dates can be found here.

 

Nyack events are supported by Visit Nyack, the Nyack Chamber of Commerce, the Village of Nyack, Rockland County Economic Development and Tourism, I LOVE NY, and by local businesses.

2023 Nyack Events

Photos & Graphics

Visit Nyack

Nyack Chamber of Commerce

Explore Rockland

I Love NY

The post Step into Spring – Get Outside in Nyack! appeared first on  Visit Nyack.

“Hiking and travel have always been a huge part of my life,” Neil said. “While I grew up in New York, I spent time living in St. Louis, Chicago, Denver, New Zealand, and Tanzania.”

Despite the perfect pedigree to be the proprietor of Rockland’s only true hiking shop, Neil’s past life included working in communications and fundraising at a fair housing organization, and then at a farm and education center. She has a background in social work and community development and even had a stint as an aspiring paleontologist. Yet, none of it felt like what she really wanted to be doing.

“I thought about opening a shop like this for years,” Neil recounts. “In the fall of 2020, after years of hikes throughout the Hudson Valley (and countless more during the pandemic with my family), I decided it was time to finally realize my dream and in September 2021, we opened our doors.”

Long Path focuses on carrying the best gear, apparel, and accessories to help people “find their own long path,” which also happens to be the slogan for the store. Neil has personally used and loved most of the brands she sells, many of which are from small companies that you can’t find anywhere nearby. And yes, while many people prefer to order online, having a hiking-focused brick-and-mortar shop like this allows people to really get the right fit for their gear, something Neil believes is essential to the practice of hiking.

When asked why she chose Nyack for her business location, Neil, who moved to town in 2007, said that one of the main reasons her family moved here was because the town was basically surrounded by state parks. The Long Path, a 350-mile trail created and maintained by the New York/New Jersey Trail Conference, runs right through Nyack to Hook Mountain and Rockland Lake (and beyond).

“A short walk or drive gets you to hundreds of miles of trails,” Neil stated. “Nyack has always felt like a little mountain town so it was time to help more people get outside. We moved here with a toddler son and now we have three sons and they have been running up the Hook since they could walk.”

Neil’s target customer is anyone who enjoys the outdoors in any weather. The store sells shoes and apparel for all ages, along with maps, guidebooks, and trail snacks. Staff can help get anyone ready for a day hike on The Hook or an adventure overseas with hats, socks, backpacks, layers, binoculars, sunglasses. Beginning in May, the store will sponsor guided local hikes the last Saturday of every month with West Mountain Guide Co. along with more sunset hike opportunities throughout the spring and summer months.

Future goals? Neil plans to expand the business’s inventory of creative and small hiking brands, and ultimately hopes to “grow Rockland County’s reputation as the incredible hiking destination it is.”

Long Path Outfitters

75 South Broadway, Nyack, NY 10960

https://longpathoutfitters.com

Opened in September 2021

The post Taking the Long Path to Long Path Outfitters: Nyack Hiking Shop is a Lifelong Dream Finally Realized appeared first on  Visit Nyack.

Photo Courtesy of Black Parakeetz

A popular host on the CBS Shop Local Saturday program, Elliott celebrated Black History month on the show with interviews featuring members of Nyack’s vibrant community of Black-owned businesses – including Black Parakeetz: Paint, Swig and Sing! on Main Street, as well as Teagevity and Rebecca’s Paradise, regulars at the weekly Nyack Farmers Market.

Links to the video interviews are available here:

Black Parakeetz

Teagevity

Rebecca’s Paradise

While filming at Black Parakeetz, owners Terry and Naomi Clarke took Elliott on a tour of their establishment, which boasts an art lounge for painting experiences (no prior experience needed), a karaoke lounge (also no prior experience needed), and a bar/kitchen offering a menu of specialty foods and art-and-music-themed cocktails hand crafted by Terry.

As Terry and Naomi describe it, Black Parakeetz is an experience-based venue for curated gatherings of every kind – birthday celebrations, pre-wedding parties, holiday get-togethers, music and theater events and corporate meetings, to name just a few possibilities. Terry cites a recent art-themed team-building workshop as an example.

Black Parakeetz is not your ordinary “party place,” so Naomi encourages everyone to stop by the business at 298 Main Street, and visit the Parakeetz website, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and Facebook pages. “We’re everywhere and we’re here!”

Photo Courtesy of Teagevity/Preston Powell

As part of his Nyack tour, Elliott also interviewed Preston Powell, owner of an artisanal boutique tea company – Teagevity – at the Nyack Farmers Market.

Powell, who happens to be the grandson of Abyssinian Baptist Church Pastor and politician Adam Clayton Powell, Jr., credits his time sipping “comfort drinks” like coffee and tea in church as the original driving force behind his love for tea. He also says the idea to start his business came to the fore when one of his martial arts students suggested he sell the tea that he was serving after class.

Powell carefully sources his teas from organic growers, offering a wide range of special blends created to promote health and longevity. ”I tell people ‘don’t buy tea from strangers,’” Powell said. According to Powell, his customers are neighbors, friends, family. “That’s what I love about the Nyack Farmers Market…it’s all about community.”

Elliott also had a conversation with Annie Rebecca Roberts of Rebecca’s Paradise, another shop at the Nyack Farmers Market. Roberts creates organic, plant-based skincare products.

Photo Courtesy of Rebecca’s Paradise

Sharing a thread with Powell’s story, Roberts’ experiences growing up in an ecofriendly family environment shaped her business concept and mission. Her grandmother was a skincare professional in Jamaica.

“It’s very important to know what you’re ingesting or applying to the skin,” said Roberts.

With Rebecca’s Paradise skincare products, customers can be confident that they’re caring for their skin naturally, and don’t have to worry about harmful toxins, which are not uncommon in commercially produced lotions and soaps.

“Customers support me because they like what I do, and they like that the products are clean beauty.”

You can view the full interviews with the Clarkes, Powell and Roberts below. For more information about the Nyack Farmers Market, click here.

Also featured earlier in the year on the CBS Shop Local program include Nyack’s Pickwick Book Shop and the Hickory Dickory Dock boutique, a purveyor German handicrafts, clocks and decorative goods sourced from Europe.

Click below for Pickwick and Hickory Dickory Dock interviews.

Pickwick Bookshop

Hickory Dickory Dock

We hope to see more Nyack businesses in the spotlight for future CBS Shop Local segments!

The post CBS News Celebrates Black-Owned Businesses in Nyack appeared first on  Visit Nyack.

Maya Sargent and Viviana Villalva, graduate students in Fordham University’s Public Media and Journalism master’s program, took a little jaunt to the west side AKA the best side of the river to talk to members of Nyack’s small business community. They spent a day exploring the village and speaking with two long-standing Nyack business owners, John Dunnigan of Pickwick Bookshop and Maria Luisa Whittingham of Maria Luisa Boutique about what makes Nyack such a great place to set up shop.

Enjoy the full video here.

The post Nyack’s Small Businesses Star in Fordham Graduate Student Project appeared first on  Visit Nyack.

Audience enjoying a performance at Upper Nyack’s Marydell Faith & Life Center (Photo Courtesy of Phoenix Theatre Ensemble)

The vision of PTE was to create a celebration of theater, arts and community culture rivaling that of national arts festivals – with Nyack providing the stage for it all. Despite having to become amateur meteorologists at times (outdoor theatre during hurricane season is no small undertaking!), the organizers of the event were able to do just that.

Running from mid-September to mid-October, the festival took place during the Hudson Valley region’s beautiful fall season and featured over a dozen live, outdoor performance programs in both downtown Nyack’s Edward Hopper House Museum & Study Center and at Upper Nyack’s Marydell Faith & Life Center at the foot of majestic Hook Mountain.

Live theatre and wildlife coexisted on Nyack’s stage for the Phoenix Festival. (Photo courtesy of Phoenix Theatre Ensemble)

Productions included three iconic plays revisited by PTE in the context of our current world: Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest, Thornton Wilder’s The Skin of Our Teeth and Anton Chekov’s The Harmfulness of Tobacco. There were also performances by, Rockland’s Children’s Shakespeare Theatre, tributes to Nyack resident Helen Hayes, walking tours of Nyack village and more.

“A big bonus for Festival goers was Nyack village itself,” said Craig Smith, Phoenix Festival Executive Director. “Nyack was the perfect anchor for this unique festival that blended classic theater and local history with breathtaking natural beauty in a jazzy, upbeat river town setting,”

Community arts organizations like Arts Rock, Rivertown Film, Edward Hopper House Museum & Study Center, Rockland Poets, Nyack Library, and the Historical Society of Rockland also created and hosted a variety of events throughout the month for people looking to keep the magic going between shows.

The Festival invested over $200,000 in the local economy. More than 80% of production dollars went to local businesses, e.g., sound engineering, scenery and set building, bus and limo services, housing, and catering.

Photo courtesy of Phoenix Theatre Ensemble

Community support exceeded expectations. Over 30 local businesses contributed more than $30,000 in direct funding and raffle prizes valued at over $3,500, including dining, merchandise, and hotel stays for theatre-goers. In addition to local funding and support from national institutions, Rockland County Office of Economic Development and Tourism was a major contributor

“Tourism is important for Rockland,” said Smith. “The Festival attracted a broad audience – nearly 60% came from outside of local communities – New York City and boroughs, plus Westchester, Long Island and New Jersey.”

Now that a successful first run at an arts festival has concluded, the ensemble is looking forward to returning to town in 2023.

“Taking a step into a completely new endeavor takes faith,” Smith stated. “This magic could never have been possible without generous contributions and unflagging support from the Rockland community. Building on the faith placed in us this year, we’re looking forward to an even more successful Festival in 2023, and to many years of collaboration that will bring continuing joy, growth and prosperity to our special community.”

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The Phoenix Festival and the villages of Nyack and Upper Nyack gratefully acknowledge the generous contributions of the public institutions, foundations, businesses and individuals who have made this event possible.

Public Support

Humanities New York (affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities) The National Endowment for the Arts
New York State Council on the Arts
Rockland County Office of Economic Development and Tourism

Sustaining Sponsors 

MR Bonner

Orange and Rockland Utilities
Phoenix Theatre Ensemble Board of Trustees
The Sheree Stone Trust

SmithStone Family Trust

The Zisson Foundation

Corporate Sponsors

Gold

Hotel Nyack

Howard Hanna Rand Realty

Palisades Center Mall

Windsor Hills Wine & Spirits

Silver

Creative Financial Planning

Bronze

Audi Nyack | Don Thompson

DPNB Pasta & Provisions

Ellis Sotheby’s International Realty

Rosemarie Pelatti, Peter Garruba and Keller Williams Hudson Valley Realty

The Greekish Nyack

Metal and Stone Jewelers

Montefiore Nyack Hospital

Munn and Associates, Ameriprise Financial Services

Robert Panzera and CCSD Sport Events

Weld Realty

Patrons

Cane and Boniface P.C

Creative Arts Workshop | Joseph Garreffa

El Cuñao Deli

Modern Druid

Pickwick Bookshop

Punta Cana Latin Fusion

The Rock Shop Nyack

Sniff A Pickle

Trilogy Consignment

Friends 

Allstate Insurance | Don Dietrich

Arts Council of Rockland

Broadway Bistro

The Breakfast & Burger Club

The Corner Frame Shop

Patisserie Didier Dumas

Quantious

Somos Designer Jewelry Gallery

Today’s Outfit Band

Individual Patrons and Friends 

Gold

Monica R. BIonner

David Duke Burger

Kevin Confoy and Jodi Wright

Patrick Hall

John Lenartz

Michael Miller

Barrie Peterson and Bea Pohl

Linie and Joe Rand

Yasser Rathore

Thomas Schneck and Susan Wilmink

The Estate of Sheree Stone

Dan Zisson

Silver

Karen C. Cook

Cricket Jeranick

Robert and Carole Koros

Drake Mann

Derek Tarson

Joan Weingarten and Bob Donnalley

Bronze

Harris Berlinsky

John Bower

Harriet Cornell

Kathleen and Tom Dallessio

Dick Donovan and Susan Fawcett

Peter Garruba

Andrew Horn and Joe Brancato

Marlene May

Tony Mulanix

Thomas and Mana Nassisi

Robert Scotto

Marion Shaw

Narelle Sissons

Michael Surabian

David Wagner

Community Partners

ArtsRock

Children’s Shakespeare Theatre

Edward Hopper House Museum & Study Center

Elmwood Playhouse

Historical Society of Rockland

Marydell Faith and Life Center

Nyack Chamber of Commerce

Nyack Center

Nyack Library

Rivertown Film Society

Rockland County Community College

Rockland Poets

Village of Nyack

Village of Upper Nyack

The post Phoenix Festival Has a Successful First Flight in Nyack appeared first on  Visit Nyack.