3 Ways the HV Wine & Chocolate Festival Can Elevate Your Holiday Season

The Hudson Valley Wine & Chocolate Festival is the perfect opportunity to shop for the holiday season or escape from Thanksgiving preparations for a little R&R.

This festival raises money for Partners with PARC, a non-profit that secures the financial future for those with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Last November's event attracted nearly 3,000 people and raised more than $89,000. The festival is 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 17 and 18 at Patterson Recreation Center.

With tons of free wine and chocolate samples — plus a separate Chocolate Fondue Bar — there are plenty of tasty reasons to head to the festival, but I wanted to give you three suggestions for using this little celebration to elevate your whole holiday season:

1) Find something delectable to share at Thanksgiving or other holiday celebrations. Wine or chocolate is nice with a holiday dinner, but what about locally sourced wine and chocolate, complete with tasting notes? The festival features dozens of Hudson Valley and other New York State wineries, craft distillers, craft beer and hard cider makers, plus candy and confections, fine foods, crafts, health and beauty products, and more.

In addition, this year's event has an international theme, so many vendors will be showcasing specialty products from other countries. Definitely an opportunity to find the perfect complement to any dinners or get-togethers you have planned over the next eight weeks.

2) Stock up on hostess and "buddy" gifts. Many of these vendors specialize in those little hostess gifts — but don't stop your shopping list there. If you're like me, you have a few people who MIGHT get you a gift: coworkers, casual friends, neighbors, etc. Why not have a few little gifts set aside that you can present them if they surprise you with a gift? And if they don't, you have a little extra treat at the end of the holiday season.

3) Do something different for "friendsgiving" this year. Instead of a big holiday meal or a fancy potluck, why not get your girlfriends or college friends or whomever is around together and spend the day at the Wine & Chocolate Festival? Less time planning and cooking equals more time relaxing and having fun!

Every guest receives a collectible wine glass, a program with tasting notes and recipes, a drink wine lanyard and a gold “Willy Wonka” ticket. That last ticket will gain you admittance to the Chocolate Fondue Bar. (This is on top of all the free food and wine samples you get with admission).

Guests are encouraged to dress up for the International theme, as the best-dressed each day will win a prize and guests will be asked to vote on the best decorated vendor. If you check out the photos from the spring event, you'll see that guests take the theme seriously. (The spring theme was the Kentucky Derby.)

In addition, there will be an aerialist serving wine, a roaming magician and other entertainment.

Ready to get your tickets? They are $30 each in advance and $35 each on the day of the event (if there are any left). Designated driver tickets are $10 each. Must be 21 years or older to attend. For tickets, check out Eventbrite, call 845-278-7272, ext. 2287 or email events@arcputnamny.org.

Use promo code TSHV2018 to get $5 off the general admission ticket. (Doesn't apply to designated driver tickets.)

Go ahead and RSVP on the Facebook event, too: