2013 Annual Great American Weekend

Applications for the

2013  Great American Weekend  are

NOW AVAILABLE!

The 32nd Great American Weekend is being held this year on SATURDAY JULY 6  & SUNDAY JULY 7 2013.   Our applications are now available below for download. Please note that the deadline for all applications is May 15 2015. NO applications in any category will be accepted after that time.  Please read the directions carefully and make checks out to The Goshen Chamber of Commerce.

Application categories available are:

• Artisan and Crafts application: This category is for artisans and crafters ONLY. There are two options
  1- NEW! Premium 12×10 booth space under a large tent with full security, full weekend only  $275.00  OR
  2- Our traditional 12×12 space under your own tent  Weekend -$200.00    Saturday or Sunday only- $150.00
• Not for Profit application  This category is for community groups, other not for profits and governmental agencies

Please note that we are no longer offering vendor space in the Merchant category.   Farmers, bakers and others who  grow/produce food stuffs are welcome to apply under the Artisan/Crafter application.  If you have any questions or unable to download the application please call the Chamber office at 294-7741.

Sample Schedule:

Vendors: Set Up Early and Stay All Day! Saturday / Sunday

Festival Hours:
Saturday: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Sunday: 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m
Rain or Shine. In Beautiful Village Square, also known as Church Park – in the Heart of Goshen at Route 207 (Main St.) and South Church Street.
For Map Search address use: 33 Park Place, Goshen, NY 10924
Parking: is available throughout the Village. Handicapped spaces are designated at the Berkshire Bank parking Lot at the corner of South Church Street and Route 207.
Public Restrooms: located across the street at Town Hall on Webster Avenue and behind The First Presbyterian Church.
Please, no dogs.
OPENING CEREMONY: Saturday, 9:45 am sharp on the Monument Stage.

Bring the family, your friends and everyone you know to experience Goshen’s true spirit of community, friendship and fun at the 31st Annual Great American Weekend. Since the first patriotic celebration back in 1982, begun to help promote harness racing at the Historic Track, today the races are still an integral part of the activities. Great American Weekend continues to be more than just a weekend. It’s a tradition that emphasizes why Goshen is proud to be a Great American Community!

Ted Spiegel described the goings-on in a June 2005 article in Hudson Valley Magazine: “Goshen is not only the Orange County seat, it’s also the site of the Great American Weekend, arguably the Hudson Valley’s liveliest Fourth of July celebration. Twenty thousand people a day will stroll through the nine-acre village green that surrounds the First Presbyterian Church, inspecting the offerings at 150 craft booths, grazing their way through a culinary snackopedia, and clapping approval for …local entertainers.”

The Great American Weekend may only occur on one weekend out of the year, but it takes months of planning. The success of our event would not be possible without the partnership of the Village and Town of Goshen, First Presbyterian Church, downtown merchants, the vendors, volunteers, performers and all of the people who decide on Goshen as their destination for the weekend. We also owe a debt of gratitude to our Great American Weekend committee who spend many hours making everything come together seamlessly.

THANKS TO OUR GUARDIAN ANGELS…

According to former chairperson Wendy Bynum-Wade, every event has a guardian angel and Great American Weekend (GAW) over the years has had many. Writes Bynum-Wade:

“We have lost a number of GAW individuals who gave a great deal of their time, resources and mostly of themselves to help this event grow into what it is today. Toni deGeode, Ruth White, Larry Meinwald and our beloved Police Chief John H. Egbertson, Sr. were all vital members of prior committees. Most recently, we lost Sarah “Sally” Wheeler who was an inspiration to all who knew her.”

Today we miss them and will always be indebted to them for being the guiding forces behind Goshen’s beloved Great American Weekend.