After a two-year hiatus, Nyack once again welcomes the harbingers of spring and launches a new season of fun for all ages with the SpringFest street fair on Sunday April 10 . The Nyack Chamber's legendary fair runs from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm -- rain or shine -- in the heart of the village on Main Street and Broadway.
The fair invites families, friends, and visitors to browse a rich array of jewelry, clothing, accessories, art, crafts, gifts, and great food offered by 200+ vendors and scores of local businesses.
"The Nyack Chamber of Commerce is pleased to once again host our great SpringFest fair," said Roger Cohen, President, Nyack Chamber. "This year's fair is in many ways a celebration of Nyack, our resilience, and our ability to come back from any and all challenges."
In addition to sampling wares from hundreds of fair vendors, Fest-goers can enjoy the many boutiques and restaurants that reside year-round in the village. Notably, more than two-dozen local businesses are newcomers who have bravely put down stakes in Nyack just before and during the pandemic -- lots of new shops and restaurants to explore.
"Small businesses in Nyack have been hit hard over the past two years," said Maria Luisa Whittingham, co-founder of Nyack Merchants United and owner of Maria Luisa boutique on South Broadway in the 'So-Bro' section of the village. "But the hard times toughened us up, and we're back even stronger than before, with many new businesses already operating, and new doors ready to open in coming months."
"This year's SpringFest celebration will showcase everything Nyack has to offer -- great shops, great food, outdoor dining, live music and more," added Mark Reed, Nyack Chamber Board member and SpringFest event organizer. "As just one feature, the music line-up will get the spring vibe going."
Outdoor live music roster:
-- Electric Beef Band offers classic rock from the '80s, '90s and '00s
-- Maureen’s Jazz Cellar presents the David Budway Quartet on North Broadway
-- DJ SC-One & Mr. Lee on live percussion and vocals
-- Live Acoustic Blues Duo featuring Lee Farber and Jim Hayes
"SpringFest is an event, but it's also an invitation to visitors and residents to sample the village's special blend of memorable experiences," Reed continued. "We want people to come back after our events to enjoy shopping, dining, music, art, theater, hiking, biking and river recreation. Nyack offers it all -- in an intimate, safe, walkable riverside community."
Nyack's one-of-a kind retailers offer unique merchandise across a broad spectrum of hard-to-find treasures, from antiques, custom jewelry and original art, to hand-made clothing, crystals, vintage vinyl, specialty eyeware and other products -- many imported from sustainable sources in the U.S. and around the world.
Among the attractions for shoppers who like to marry a good retail tour with a good meal is the tempting array of casual eateries and fine dining establishments that put Nyack on the map as a center for food enthusiasts.
"Nyack is becoming a top destination for great dining in the Hudson Valley," said Mark Davidoff, Chamber 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."
According to Cohen, the pandemic has highlighted Nyack's attractive proposition for people who want relief from the constraints of city life, but at the same time want the lifestyle amenities normally offered by large urban communities.
"People want to live, work and spend leisure time in communities that offer unique shops, great restaurants, recreation and entertainment," said Cohen. "Nyack fits the bill. We welcome everyone to SpringFest as an experience in resiliency and what local communities can achieve despite challenges. Small villages can do big things."