This Week in Orange County, NY: Who knew there'd be so much to do!

What kinds of things can you expect to do if you are living in Orange County this week? Loads, according to the Orange County Tourist Bureau's Events Calendar. Besides art exhibits in nearly every town, workshops in everything from childrens art to organic poultry rearing (did I say that?), and the usual tours, trips and cruises throughout the region, Orange County has some very special entertainment lined up.

The circus is in town in Middletown. The Cole Brothers Circus will be stunning young and old alike Monday throught Thursday. It's the world's largest circus under the big top. Show times: Monday June 3, Tuesday June 4 and Wednesday June 5 4:30 PM and 7:30 PM. 386-736-0071. And as soon as the circus leaves town, the Greek Festival, put on by Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church of Middletown begins. Enjoy four days of Greek festivities including music and dancing, food, crafts and more. The event is open Thursday through Saturday from Noon to 11 PM, and Sunday Noon to 9 PM. 845-695-1976.

Every Wednesday night from May 1 to Sept 11 is the Antique and Custom Car Cruise at Bear Mountain State Park. Cars, trucks and motorcycles park it on the lawn, and the hoods are up. If you're not interested in the cars, enjoy live music, a 50/50 raffle, prizes and giveaways. There is a park entrance fee for all vehicles. Food and restrooms available. For info, call 845-786-2701 x254.

Every Wednesday, the Farmers' Market in Warwick opens for business with fresh fruits, vegetables, flowers and food of all kinds. But Saturdays are the big day for farmers markets in the area. Go crazy and see them all, in Montgomery, Pine Bush, Cornwall, Tuxedo, and opening day in Middletown this week.

A little more high-brow? Try the Thursday Night Wine Series in Chester at Glenmere Mansion. Every Thursday from 6 to 9 PM, enjoy a prix fix three-course meal with wine pairings from around the world. 845-469-1900. Or if you prefer live theater, the Cornerstone Arts Alliance performs "I Remain...Jane Austen," a biographical theatrical experience, performing Saturday, June 8 at 7 PM, and a 2 PM matinee on Sunday.

There's music in the air, and lots of it! Every Thursday is Music in the Vineyards at Palaia Vinyards in Highland Mills, This week, it's open mic with Jack Higgins, 7 to 11 PM. 845-928-5384,. But there's live music everywhere: open mic night at the Tuscan Cafe in Warwick, a jazz jam at The Dautaj in Warwick, country western line dancing in Jester's Restaurant and Pub in Chester, music in the courtyard at the Railroad Green in Warwick, piano bar night at the Blue Roof Tapas Bar at the Bear Mountain Inn, Bear Mountain, and that's just on Thursdays!

On Fridays, Coquitos in Warwick has jazz, Steve Wells is Noble Coffee Roaster's Friday entertainment for June 7 in Campbell Hall, "Too Human" is performing at the Warwick Library, and it's E'lissa Jones live on the farm at Pennings Farm Market, in Warwick too. Saturday finds the Town Sheiks playing the Naked Flock Summer Concert Series at Warwick's Applewood Winerey during the day. Also, catch Rob Schiff at the Warwick Valley Winery. Later, Elvis is in the building at the Playhouse at Museum Village in Monroe, Richard Wiggins is in the building Saturday at Dautaj, as are Brian Tice and John Bendy in the Newburg Brewing Company. And it's Tango under the Tent at the Seligmann Homestead, Sugar Loaf. I could go on and on.

I'm saving my Fridays for the Seafood and Chocolate Buffet in the Thayer Hotel at West Point. Seafood bisque, sushi, and an array of fresh fish, followed by a chocolate dessert buffet. The gobbling starts at 5:30, and you can roll me out of there at 9:30. Too bad, too because I'll be missing the Field to Fork Gourmet Supper Club's Friday Night dinner in Pine Island. It's Harvest of the Day paired with artisanal specialties at the Rogowski Farm, 7 PM, farm-table seating.

Saturday, June 8 is already circled on my calendar for the Strawberry, Wine and Chocolate Festival at the Baldwin Vineyards in Pine Bush. Think of it. For 12 bucks, you get a strawberry short cake, a cheese cake brownie topped with raspberry wine-marinated strawberries and whipped cream, a chocolate dipped strawberry, a copy of Baldwins "Top Ten Ways to Enjoy Strawberry Wine" pamphlet PLUS your very own Baldwins' tasting glass, which is useful because you'll need it to taste twelve different wines, including Brut Champagne, Merlot, Riesling, Port, Strawberry and Raspberry Wines.

Now, I know you won't want to miss the Brook Trout Exhibit and the Living Hudson Exhibit of reptiles and amphibians in Cornwall, but the event of the week in Orange County must be the Family Fun Weekend in Middletown at the Interactive Museum. It's geared toward, well, family fun for kids and parents. On Friday, June 7, it starts with a Summer Band Jam from 8 to 11 PM. Hot blues, cool jazz, and an open mic for walk-in artists of any stripe. Saturday, June 8, hit the rummage sale from Noon to 4PM. Museum exhibits will be open during the sale. Kids can paint a natural or glass stone at the Make and Take Program from 1 to 3 PM. Then the whole family can hit the Hot Dog Chili Sauce Throwdown from 4 to 8. Local chefs will sample their own hot dog chili sauce. You'll enjoy hot dogs and fixings, potato salad, macaroni salad, and coleslaw. Live it up! Live music will be provided by Side FX. If that doesn't suit you, at 4:30 PM, take the kids to the PG movie showing at the Museum and get a hot dog, bag of chips, and can of soda for small fee per child. On Sunday, June 9, kids can make Rockets, Planes and Copters from 1-3 PM, and fly them in Jerry’s Park next door. Later parents will enjoy the Mas Salsa K2 Social from 4-8 PM, with salsa dance lessons, a sumptuous Latino buffet, and dancing. Tickets sales for Family Fun Weekend can be purchased at the Museum through Saturday June 8, at the BID Office, or call 845-551-5511, 845-344-3131.

And that's just one week! Who says there's nothing going on living in Orange County this summer? See ya there! And if you're interested in living in Orange County and would like to find a home there, use our handy search tool above. Just scroll down to "Orange County" and enter your preferences.

Originally posted at This Week in Orange County, NY: Who knew there'd be so much to do!