'Out On The Farm' LGBTQ+ Fall Festival Is Fun For Whole Family

HIGHLAND, NY — Fall is definitely the season for apple picking, tractor rides and pumpkin painting.

Those and more can be experienced Saturday at Out on the Farm: An All-Ages Queer Fall Festival.

The free-to-attend event will be held from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday at Wilklow Orchards Farm Bar in Highland in Ulster County.

Organizer Stephan Hengst of Big Gay Hudson Valley told Patch that the event — now in its ninth year — remains incredibly popular with the Hudson Valley’s queer community because “it breaks the mold on most typical events for the LGBTQ+ community.

“Taking place outside of a bar or nightclub, everyone is welcome — kids and dogs included — for an evening of fun and community?” he said.

“And who doesn’t love an event with free admission that includes hayrides, pumpkins, hot cider donuts, food from Wilklow’s food trucks, dancing, live performances and so much more?” Hengst said.

Alcohol from Bad Seed Hard Cider, as well as wine and beer, will be available, “but if you’d prefer to stay away from alcohol, drinking is not the focus of the event,” he said.

Food and activities are available for an additional fee, Hengst said.

While admission is free, he said that people are asked to pre-register through this link so organizers know how many to expect.

“Last year we had more than 600 people present for the event,” Hengst said. “We’re already at 500 registrants (as of Monday), so we anticipate a big crowd.”

This event is appropriate for all ages, organizers said. Dogs are welcome at the farm as long as they are kept on a leash.

Wilklow Orchards Farm Bar is located at 341 Pancake Hollow Road in Highland.