13th Annual Game Fair held at Orvis

MILLBROOK — Whatever it is that you look for in a weekend game fair, Orvis Sandanona probably had it at its 13th annual event. The day was hot, the constant shots from the various shooting contests were ringing out and the aromas of several different kinds of foods were wafting through the fair.

Vendors in tents lined three wide avenues, sporting everything from jewelry to cheese, to guns and clothes. Funky hats? They had them. Cigars? Nat Sherman had a tent devoted to them.

Being a game fair, there were a number of venues devoted to sporting: Shooting Sportsman Magazine, Winchester Ammunition, the Orvis Gun Room and British Sporting Arms, Ltd.

Girls Really Into Shooting (G.R.I.T.S.) was a repeat vendor, and the Arden Hunters Guild was on hand to share information.

Fishing advocates liked Mid Hudson Trout Unlimited, Orvis Fly Fishing with Truel Meyers, and Catskill Cats and Coverts.

The Culinary Institute of America (CIA), was on hand, but one could also obtain foot-long hot dogs, cheeseburgers and fries. Frites of New York, Lola’s Café and Take Out and many more eateries were represented as were Corgi Cooking and Falconwood Farms. Ale, bourbon, mead and other spirits were sampled, and demonstrations of game cooking were held at noon and at 2:30 p.m.

Clothing, artists and photographers were among the vendors, and non-profits were also participating, such as Boy Scout Pack 33 from Pleasant Valley, Angels of Light, Mid-Hudson District Free and Accepted Masons of New York and Cary Institute of Ecological Studies.

Many kiosks had information on sporting and vacation packets, including South Wind Plantation and Sierra Brava Lodge.

For the avid sportsman, bird hunting and fishing experts from various location had brochures and information.

A dog demonstration took place at noon and 2 p.m., with a vet talk at 3 p.m.

For the kiddies section they had the tiny Range Rover cars, crafts and a bounce house.

For many, the coup de grace each year is the Birds of Prey demonstration by Falconry Excursions, who have been at every Orvis Game Fair so far. They will be traveling soon to yet another of the Orvis sites to present their birds.

They featured several birds of various species, including falcons, hawks, an eagle and even a black buzzard.  

Rounding out the fair were the Range Rover driving course, the sporting clays, fly casting and the novice shooting area.

Soccer and a barbecue to benefit scholarship

COPAKE — The 2019 Burger-Laverack Taconic Hills Alumni Soccer Game and chicken barbecue will take place on Sunday, Sept. 29, at Copake Memorial Park, 305 Mountain View Road.

The soccer game begins at 1 p.m. followed by chicken barbecue at 4 p.m.

T-shirts and barbecue tickets are $10 each. Checks should be made payable to Community Scholarship Fund or CSF.

Contact rproper@taconichills.k12.ny.us with questions or for more information.