It’s no secret that Sullivan County has been awakening over the last several years with a revival of businesses, luxury services and a boost in tourism to fuel these blossoming enterprises. Some say it’s nostalgia for the days of Woodstock and Dirty Dancing when culture on the East Coast lived and breathed Sullivan County, NY. But nostalgia is not the only note being played in this lively crescendo; quality craftsmanship and passionate trade-work are now equally growing factors in the success and culture of the local economy.

New craftsman and artisans seem to announce themselves every day through art shows, restaurant openings and even local farmers’ markets. Tying them all together are organizations like the Delaware Valley Arts Alliance (DVAA), Sullivan Renaissance and a variety of museums and nonprofit organizations working to promote local culture and special craft skills. One of these is The Farmhouse Project, a lifestyle blog that also features an online store (farmhouseproject.com). Highlighting local history and an emphasis on fine craftsmanship, The Farmhouse Project, run by Shawn Lang and his partner Kristofer Propelica and based in part on their adventure renovating an old farmhouse in Hortonville, NY, sought to create an event that takes the local farmers’ market up a notch. Having come from the Hudson Valley, where high-class craftsmen and fine food thrive, Lang thought to bring that experience to the Upper Delaware. He came up with the Makers Market.

The Makers Market will be an “up-scale market” for only the finest local craftsman, says Lang. The focus of the event will be to recognize the quality of a hand-selected group of vendors who will fill the Barn at Hubbard for two days during Labor Day Weekend, Saturday and Sunday, September 1 and 2 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. both days.

Lang explains the event is being carefully curated; do not expect average home crafters selling a hodgepodge of wares. “It will be a full-circle sharing event,” says Lang. Only the best makers will be there, with highly refined goods set up in a number of booths and on tables in The Barn on Hubbard, owned by Sara and John Diehl. The Farmhouse Project website describes the event as “a modern interpretation of the traditional craft fair.” Visitors will learn about new artisans in the area and have the opportunity to support their work. Lang expects about 35 vendors in all, not including food, drink and music providers, who will be selling art, pottery, clothing and handcrafted wood products.

The Barn on Hubbard, which serves as a location for wedding and other special events, will add to the experience by lending itself as a “picturesque country venue.” Historic in its own right, the barn has become something of a local icon for northwest Sullivan County; its elevated location offers panoramic views over much of the area. It is also only about 10 miles from the site of the original 1969 Woodstock Festival.

According to Lang, the event will have a retro trailer that serves as a bar. From here they will serve craft beer, cider and wine. There will also be food at the event, provided by Foster Supply and the Arnold House, in the form of a farm-to-table style barbeque. Visitors will also be entertained through much of the day by local musicians, with the headliner for the event being Michael Mizwinski (aka “Miz”), who plays a combination of folk, bluegrass and indiefolk.

The idea to host this event only dawned on Lang this past winter, when he was attending similar events in the Hudson Valley. He then began planning in April for a local market to be held over Labor Day. He has invited some artisans from the Hudson Valley to be there as well. Lang says he hopes to see around 300 people each day visit the Makers Market, and describes the response through The Farmhouse Project blog as “very exciting.” 

The event is free and open to the public. The Barn at Hubbard is located at 28 Hubbard Rd., off Gabel Road. For more information, visit thefarmhouseproject.market.