Bicentennial Bash

Where’s the party this weekend? Why it’s in rocking, ripping, caterwauling Catskill NY. As Patrick Milbourn’s poster conveys so brilliantly, by endowing Rip Van Winkle with a long beard and a young, lively stride, it’s party time in the rejuvenated Village that is 200 years young. And the weekend will be one long birthday party. Festivities begin on Friday at 6 o’clock at the front of the Greene County Courthouse on Main Street, with speechifying, and dancing (to the live music of “Steppin’ Out”), and food vendors (especially from local churches), and solidarity. Saturday’s kick-off event is a mile-long parade starting at noon. Fed by the 70 participating groups from many side streets, it will pass from West Main Street to upper Main Street, and from there down to Dutchmen’s Landing, site for a day (and a good bit of the night) of live entertainment. Parking and motor traffic on many Village streets will be banned, but shuttle buses will operate from off-Main Street parking lots as well as from Catskill High School’s parking lot. In addition to hours of live music, the revelers will be offered rides on the old fireboat John J. Harvey, an exhibition of antique cars, games, tables of arts and crafts, food and fireworks. Among Sunday’s festivities is a tour of historic homes, organized by the Greene County Historical Society. It starts from the Thomas Cole National Historic Site (218 Spring St) at 11 o’clock in the morning. Prospective participants can get tickets there ($20 per person, with proceeds going to the Historical Society) and can visit the selected sites (12 of them) at their leisure until 5 pm. (Information: [518]731-6490, or 943-6452, or 943-7465). Meanwhile, on Main Street, from noon, many shops and art galleries will be open, a Dixieland band will be strolling and, at 3 o’clock, in front of Bell’s Café (387 Main St), a huge birthday cake will be cut. At 4 pm., in the parking lot between 466 and 468 Main Street musicians (starting with Lex Grey and The Urban Pioneers) will play and play some more, in advance of the opening (at 6 pm.) of a new BRIK gallery show (473 Main St) that is composed of art works by 37 (t-h-i-r-t-y s-e-v-e-n) Hudson Valley artists, all female (f-e-m-a-l-e). Meanwhile, at 5 pm. at the First Reformed Church (310 Main St) Michael deBenedictus will give an organ recital. An important additional feature of the bicentennial celebration is the publication of a new book, lavishly illustrated, written by a collection of distinguished contributors (plus a drudge from Seeing Greene). It would make for the ideal durable souvenir. To reserve a copy ($20 if you call immediately, $25 by Friday), telephone the Heart of Catskill Association (943-0989) or the Village office (943-3830 ) and leave a suitable message. The supply is dwindling rapidly. Honest. But a second printing may be ordered. Equally suitable as a bicentennial memento would be a copy, full-sized, of Patrick Milbourn’s poster (as above), signed by the artist. The price is $60. Also available from HOCA or the Village office.