As the days grow shorter, so goes the HV Arts Council’s public art exhibit and the activities associated with these bewitching bovine. With three weekends left until the close of the Stampede on Oct.19, come join the remaining fun!
On Oct. 4 (rain date Oct. 5), the arts council is organizing the Classic Car Cattle Drive — a two-hour or so drive through the colorful canopy and rural roads of the Valley. Registration opens at 11 a.m. at the Hopewell Valley Vineyards, 46 Yard Road, Hopewell Township. Participants will receive a "map" of the route based on clues about some of the bewitching bovines. Return to the vineyard from 3-5 p.m. to enjoy fine wines and an exhibition of exquisite cars.
And while you’re out and about in the Valley, don’t forget the annual Hopewell Tour des Arts (www.hopewellarts.com) in its seventh year. This self-guided tour opens doors to the studios and methods of the Valley’s working artists. Studios will be open on Oct. 4 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and again on Oct. 5 from 11 a.m.- 4 p.m. Maps are available on the website, at the Hopewell Railroad Station on Railroad Place, and at Brothers Moon, 7 W. Broad St.
Calling all culinary artists to bring their blue-ribbon recipes to the Pennington Farmers Market on Oct. 11, where the arts council is sponsoring a bake-off that features the bounty of the Valley’s local farm produce.
There will be four categories — cakes, pies, breads and kids creations (age 15 and under). Submissions should be dropped off at the HV Arts Council’s table by 10:30 a.m., and participants must be willing to share their recipes. This is also an opportunity to meet the sponsor and artists of "Greetings from Hopewell Valley," the ox that serves as the market’s mascot.
Alas, all good things must come to an end, including the Stampede.
On Oct. 19 at 3 p.m. at the Hopewell Elementary School, join a community celebration to close the Stampede. There will be food trucks, live music and the arts council will announce the winner of the "People’s Choice" award — that ox that the community voted its favorite. It’s also an opportunity to see an ox that no one knows!
Please help the arts council in its mission to bring quality workshops and classes to the Valley’s artists by bidding on the Stampede’s artful oxen. Visit www.hvstampede.org to place bids until 3 p.m. on Oct. 19.
— HV Arts Council