Sponsor Shout-Out: Bike Friendly Kingston Offers Free Bike Parking at Hullabaloo!

Picture this: You’re coming home from Hullabaloo. You’ve got a basket mounted on your handlebars (or maybe behind your seat) filled to the brim with all sorts of handmade treasures for everyone on your guest list (and strapped in safely, of course). You feel the cool autumn breeze in your hair and the sun on your face (because it’s going to be a gorgeous weekend, we promise!). Pedestrians, vehicles, and bicycles are successfully and safely sharing the road. Kingston is such a great place to live, shop, and ride!

Biking is a convenient, economical, and earth-friendly mode of transportation, but many cities are lacking the infrastructure to safely support travel by bicycle. Bike Friendly Kingston is an association of individuals whose mission is “to make Kingston a safer, more bike-able city.” They meet monthly in person, where they advocate for better bicycle infrastructure and policies, educate residents about the benefits of safe and responsible biking, and promote biking events and activities—including Bike to Work, Bike to School Day, the Annual Feast on Wheels dinner, and more. Their website includes resources like the plan details for the city’s “Building a Better Broadway” initiative, and a Google bike rack map (there are probably more than you thought!). Join their Facebook group(https://www.facebook.com/groups/bikefriendlykingstonny/) or visit www.bikefriendlykingston.org for more information.

And on the weekend of Hullabaloo, there will be even more bike racks on Broadway! Bike Friendly Kingston will be setting up their portable bike racks for free bike parking at the Murphy Center during Hullabaloo! We encourage you to bike to Hullabaloo, and say hello to their volunteers who will be on hand to talk to visitors about their initiatives. Because doesn’t the scenario above sound like SUCH a great way to spend the day?

Invitation/Sponsor Shout-Out: The Anchor Hosts Our Arty After Party

If you’re anything like us, after the first day of Hullabaloo, you’re going to be a little tired…but too happy and wired from all the excitement to go home!

With that in mind, we’ve got the perfect spot to hang out and wind down after a long and exciting day…The Anchor (744 Broadway, Kingston) is hosting a Hullabaloo After Party after we close on Saturday evening!  Hullabaloo continues on Sunday at 11 a.m., but it’s a long night before morning and we wanted to hang out with our vendors, sponsors, and friends a little longer! It’s even open to the public, so our shoppers are more than welcome to come and hang with their favorite Hullabaloo artists and makers! It’s the perfect place to relax and celebrate a successful first day of Hullabaloo with all your new friends!\

The Anchor will be running a Hullabaloo special for us from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Saturday, with $1 off drafts, $4 well drinks, and a $6 appetizer menu. Their regular menu will be available as well.  They’ve got over 20 American craft brews on tap, awesome grass-fed burgers (with some tasty—and some unusual—toppings), incredible sandwiches and snacks, salads and vegetarian options, and more…all served in a laid back but vibrant cozy space with a lot of character.  Get a look at their menu here: http://theanchorkingston.com/menu/

They also have a great schedule of music, open mic nights, special events, and even burlesque shows lined up to keep you entertained (as well as well-fed) all through the winter.  Sometimes our official Hullabaloo musical genius, DJ Mr. Chips, spins old-school hip-hop there! Check it out here: http://theanchorkingston.com/events/ or like them on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/theanchorkingston to keep up on things.

No need to RSVP—just take the quick trip up Broadway from the Murphy Center after you wrap up. The Anchor is at the top of Broadway, on your right, just before that weird veer off toward Albany Avenue/the Thruway.  You can park across the street at the Probation Office (we promise it’s ok) but don’t forget to designate a driver if you plan on hanging out long…(or if you’re tempted to try ALL the great beers they have on tap)…and be sure to get a good night’s sleep to be ready for Hullabaloo Day 2!

We want to thank The Anchor for hosting us and hooking us up with these great specials! We’re looking forward to grabbing a burger and a pint and celebrating with you all! Hope to see you there!

Sponsor Shout-Out: Birch Body Care

Every year, we Hullabaloo organizers dream about having a spa day the day after Hullabaloo…And with Birch Body Care sponsoring our third annual event, it’s hard to shake the fantasy of a Monday afternoon hot stone massage. Just writing this blog post is making me relax…Yup, this just might be the year we treat ourselves!

Putting this event together is hard work—but so is being on your feet all day as a vendor all day…AND shopping can sure do a number on your aching shoulders. You should all come with!

What service will you get? Birch Body Care has a great menu of massage options—everything from traditional massages to foot rubs, prenatal massages to aromatherapy massages, and pampering signature body treatments to—my favorite—hot stone massages, all provided by certified, experienced massage therapists. But the thing that really makes Birch Body Care unique is their walk-in services. That’s right! You can drop in without an appointment and enjoy a relaxing, therapeutic massage without even getting undressed. You can even just grab a cat nap in one of their quiet rooms. Can you think of a better way to spend a lunch break?

…And can you think of a better holiday gift than the gift of wellness and relaxation? Birch Body Care gift certificates make seriously thoughtful gifts for just about anyone on your list. They also have a boutique that carries luxurious bath and body products and fair trade gift items like bags, jewelry, and accessories. Bundle a few favorite soaps and scrubs for a fantastic gift—add a gift certificate for a sensational one!

Check out Birch Body Care’s website, http://www.birchkingston.com/, to see their complete offering of treatments—and be sure to check for their December special! Ready to make an appointment? Call them at 845-331-7139.

We want to thank Birch Body Care for their support of the Third Annual Hudson Valley Hullabaloo! The next time you need a little TLC, or even just a power nap, we encourage you to check them out…we know we’ll be seeing them soon!