OLIVEBRIDGE, NY — On Friday, Saturday and Sunday, February 2-4, all are invited to join the Winter Hoot at the Ashokan Center.

The festival is a community celebration with music, food and activities.

Ruth Ungar Merenda, who co-founded the Hoot with her husband Mike, described it as “kind of like a big house party. The Winter Hoot is more intimate than the larger Summer Hoot, most of which is held outdoors, and has more of a local Catskills feeling.”

It starts on Friday with dinner and a concert, headlined by Jay Ungar and Molly Mason. After that, there’s a jam session, and everybody is invited to bring their instruments; they can play or sing along.

Saturday offers live roots music starting at 11 a.m. The Merendas host and perform with their band, The Mammals. Later you’ll hear Lau Noah, Mikaela Davis, The Evening Bells, Jeremy Schonfeld and Little Roots.

At 10 p.m., it’s time for the evening square dance—no partner or previous experience needed.

After the dance, Storey Littleton will perform.

Saturday also offers a guided hike, blacksmithing demonstrations, a Kids Zone with activities and a silent auction. An ice sculpture by Thomas Brown will be on display in the courtyard.

Sunday morning highlights include a yoga session and a community singalong that concludes at 12 noon. All abilities and voices are welcome.

The cost of a weekend pass is $50 (free for kids under 18). Per-day costs range from $25 to $35.

For advance tickets, visit www.hoot.love/tickets. 

Admission at the gate is also available on a sliding rate scale; no one is turned away for lack of funds.

The proceeds from the event support the Ashokan Center’s ongoing work to inspire learning and build community through shared experiences in nature, history, music and art.