Slate Valley Museum to host ‘spring tasting’

By Laura McCusker

The Slate Valley Museum in Granville will host its first-ever Spring Tasting on the Alley on Saturday, May 30, from 4-7 p.m.

The event features partnerships with local and regional wineries, breweries and distilleries, which will bring their crafted beverages, along with restaurants and food vendors, who will share their culinary creations.

The event will take place in and around the museum, situated along the Mettowee River. Once referred to as “The Alley,” a neighborhood containing immigrant row houses and drinking establishments, the site has been transformed by the Village of Granville into a cultural campus featuring two museums. One of those is the Slate Valley Museum, which celebrates its 20th anniversary this year.

That anniversary was the inspiration for the first Tasting, said interim museum director Sarah Kijowski.

“With the anniversary approaching, we were trying to come up with new ideas to present to the public to illustrate the local history,” said Kijowski.

“We thought of a tasting festival, which ties in with the history of the local bars.”

To date, businesses sharing tastings of their beverages will be Adirondack Winery, Argyle Brewing, Lake George Distilling, Oliva Vineyard, Slyboro Cider House, and Victory View Vineyard. Food vendors include Consider Bardwell Farm, Crowley Cheese, Edwards Market, The Flour Girl Bakehouse, and O’Callahan’s Pub & Grill. The Beverage House will provide non-alcoholic beverages for designated drivers.

“We’re hoping to maybe appeal to a younger demographic, and to those who just want to be outside on a beautiful spring day,” said Kijowski. “It’s a big day for Granville.”

The sixth annual Rail Trail to the Footbridge 5K will step off that morning and is expected to bring avid runners from outside the area to town. The starting point for the run is the Slate Museum.

“We’ll be open early that morning because of the run,” said Kijowski. “We’re hoping that some people make a day of it, run in the morning, then come to the tasting in the afternoon.”

Since it’s the very first staging of the event, there might be some late additions.

“There’s a possibility of more vendors,” Kijowski said. “The event committee chair is still talking to people about it, so there could be additional vendors.”

The Museum has been getting the word out through press releases and social media, and tickets are already selling. Kijowski said they’re hoping for about 200 people.

Tickets are $25 before May 30, and can be purchased by calling the museum at 518-642-1417. A special discounted rate of $10 is available for designated drivers. Space is limited, so those interested are encouraged to buy tickets in advance. Any leftover tickets will be sold for $30 at the door.

Attendees must be 21 or older.

The Spring Tasting is sponsored by Evergreen Slate Co. Other sponsorship opportunities are available.

The Slate Valley Museum is open Tuesday-Friday from 1 to 5 p.m., and on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at 17 Water Street in Granville. For more information, visit www.slatevalleymuseum.org, or call the museum. The museum can also be found on Facebook and Twitter.