From balloon fest to Dutchess County Fair, big events are back this summer

Spiegeltent, now thru Aug. 6

Looking for some date-night ideas? Get ready for Spiegeltent, part of Bard College's SummerScape festival, returning after a two-year absence. Performances will include "The Sound of (Black) Music," part of Black Roots Summer; Nona Hendryx and Mamafunk; nightlife impressario Suzanne Bartsch presents New York, New York; Summertime Swing with the George Gee Swing Orchestra; Combo Chimbita; Martha Redbone and more. There are special events (a kids dance party!) and After Hours, a late night option that runs until 12:30 a.m. where you can dance to the spins of top DJs. After Hours is open to patrons age 21 and up; tickets are $12, or free with your ticket to another same-day SummerScape event. Spiegeltent is held at Richard B. Fisher Center at Bard College, 60 Manor Ave. Annandale-on-Hudson; 845-758-7900. For more info, including the full schedule of events, tickets, health protocols, go to fishercenter.bard.edu/spiegeltent

Stormville Airport Flea Market, July 9

It wouldn't be summer without this expansive market which offers shoppers, oglers and browsers the chance to check out everything from antiques and collectibles to crafts and new merchandise. Runs rain or shine, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Stormville Airport grounds. 428 Route 216, Stormville. Free admission and parking, but no pets allowed. For more info go to stormvilleairportfleamarket.com

Orange County Fair, July 14-31

Where can you see live music, the Hanneford Circus, monster trucks, a banana derby, fireworks and indulge in your favorite carnival foods? After a year off, the Orange County Fair is back with a lineup of musical performances in a new amphitheater, the Royal Hanneford Big-Top Circus, The All New Benjamin Jackson Comedy Hypnosis Show, and the Banana Derby. Fireworks will be held July 15, 22, 29. Musical guests include a Prince tribute, Dean Ford and the Beautiful Ones and Live Wire, a tribute to AC/DC among many others. Fair hours are Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 4 p.m.-11 p.m. weekdays 1-11 p.m. weekends. Fair will be closed Mondays-Wednesdays. Admission is $10 adults; $7 seniors (65 years and older) $7 children (7-12 years old); free for children 6 years and younger. Unlimited ride specials are $30 per day. For a complete schedule of events, entertainment and vendors, along with a link to purchase tickets for the fair and various events, go to www.orangecountyfair.com/schedule. The fair is held at the Orange County Fairgrounds in Middletown.

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Dutchess County Fair, Aug. 23-28

The 176th fair returns in 2022. The daily fair hours for 2022 will be: Tues-Sat 10 a.m.-10 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Buy tickets: online or at the gate but note that fairgoers are encouraged to buy tickets online as long lines are expected and staffing shortages mean there will be limited person-to-person window sales. Adult admission is $13.50 (+ $1.50 convenience fee); children 11 and under are free. Parking is free. For 2022, ride all day wristbands are $25 (with $1.50 convenience fee). Day of the fair gate admission is $18 Tuesday-Sunday; Ride all Day wristbands are $30. Find a complete list of visitor FAQs at dutchessfair.com/the-fair/visitor-info/ The Fair is held at It's held at the Dutchess County Fairgrounds in Rhinebeck, 6550 Springbrook Ave, Rhinebeck.

Air shows at the Rhinebeck Aerodome, thru Oct. 16

Every Saturday and Sunday through Oct. 16, the gates open at 10 a.m. with pre-show activity at 2 p.m.; the planes fly at 2:30 p.m.  Biplane rides are available before and after the air shows, beginning at 10 a.m. and running to twilight. Snack stand open at noon. The Saturday “History of Flight” program highlights the Pioneer era before WWI, a WWI Show teaser, and the Golden Age of Aviation in the ’20s and ’30s. The Sunday show is a WWI dog fight spectacular with a hero, a heroine, the villainous Black Baron of Rhinebeck, scenery, pyrotechnics and a WWI tank. The supporting cast includes many antique automobiles. Admission is $28 adults (18-64) $21 seniors (65+) youth $13 (6-17) toddles up to age 5 are free. Active, retired military with ID, $21. Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome, 9 Norton Rd., Red Hook. For info, tickets, go to oldrhinebeck.org/airshows/

Hudson Valley Shakespeare Theater, July 7-Sept. 18

The Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival will present its first season at its new home in Garrison. The season will begin on July 7 with "Romeo & Juliet" by William Shakespeare and directed by Gaye Taylor Upchurch, which will conclude on Sept. 18. "Mr. Burns, A Post-Electric Play" by Anne Washburn with music by Michael Friedman and directed by Davis McCallum will play in repertory with "Romeo and Juliet" beginning on July 8 and run through Sept. 17. The 2022 season will also include the touring production of "Where WeBelong" by Madeline Sayet, directed by Mei Ann Teo and produced with Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company, in association with Folger Shakespeare Library. Performances begin Aug. 13 and will run through Aug. 22. For tickets, more info go to HVSF.org

Putnam County 4H Fair

This traditional 4-H Fair, has been reimagined with a mix of old favorites and new activities. The three-day event, from July 15-17, will feature concerts under the stars on Friday and Saturday nights, traditional 4-H exhibits during the daytime hours, food trucks, craft vendors, a beer garden and fun inflatables and games for children. This year's showcase will include Eastern Hudson Valley Horse Council Demonstrations and 4-H Miniature Horse Showmanship; a Ronstadt Radio concert, High Noon, a Lynyrd Skynyrd tribute band, and the Duck Derby. For more information, go to putnamcountyny.com/tourputnam

New York Renaissance Faire, Aug. 27-Oct. 9

Get thee to the New York Renaissance Faire! You'll be transported to 16th-century Elizabethan England for a day at the annual theatrical event in Sterling Forest. Both the young and the young at heart will find plenty of activities including rides, 16th-century games, stage shows, arts, crafts, food, vendors, music and dance, and for cosplay aficionados, the sights of knights, dames, royal pipers and pirates will not disappoint. Tickets: $18-$35; a season pass is $225. For a complete schedule of events and additional details, visit renfair.com. 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturdays, Sundays and Labor Day. 600 Route 17A, Tuxedo Park.

NY Stage and Film Summer Season, thru Aug. 7

The NY Stage and Film includes more than 25 public performances of new works-in-process, at Vassar’s Powerhouse Theater and at Marist College. Check out new plays, musicals in progress, along with readings of new plays by a diverse group of writers and playwrights that include Josh Radnor and Anna Deavere Smith. Tickets are on sale now at $25 each. For tickets and more info, go to newyorkstageandfilm.org/summer

Hudson Valley Balloon Festival, Sept. 2-4

Bring your blankets and chairs to watch hot-air balloons ascend from the designated picnic area. Watch in awe as hot-air balloons fill the skies and as they light the night with an illumination moon glow with fireworks on full display. Reservations can be made on a per person basis for a donation of $15 for evening launches and $8 for mornings.  A reservation must be made in advance as donations will not be accepted at the gate.  Donation is non-refundable and non-transferable. As always, balloon inflations are at the sole discretion of the pilot, and is dependent on ideal wind and weather conditions. Hot-air balloons may not inflate or fly - especially if the wind and weather is not safe for ballooning.  To find out more go to www.dcrcoc.org.

Hudson Valley Wine and Food Festival, Sept. 10-11

Check out regional celebrity chefs, wine experts, and festival vendors at this annual event, held at The Dutchess County Fairgrounds. Browse hundreds of New York wineries, cideries, distilleries, craft beers, good trucks and gourmet foods. Do not bring pets and do not leave them in your car. No coolers are allowed. Horus are 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday; 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. Free parking. Event is rain or shine, enter through Fairgrounds Main Gate only! Tasting tickets are $45, $80 and includes tasting  glass and all the wine/beer/cider/spirits sampling. Food is not included. Designated driver tickets available. For more info, tickets go to hvwinefest.ticketspice.com/2022.

Know of a big summer event in Dutchess not listed here? Email Karen Croke, kcroke@gannett.com

This article originally appeared on Poughkeepsie Journal: Spiegeltent, Dutchess County Fair, Balloonfest return in 2022