Main Street News

SkyRise Farm will be hosting its second annual Black Barn Winter Market on Saturday, December 7, and Sunday, December 8, from 10am to 4pm in Millerton, NY. 

A celebration of “craft, community, and care,” the Black Barn Winter Market is “a festive weekend created with the hope of fostering a sense of wonder, discovery, and connection with the makers, the space, and the land,” explained founder Sarah Rigano.

Bringing the community together 

Sarah’s inspiration for the market started with a simple conversation with friends. Sarah, who previously worked as a designer in sustainable fashion and home goods, before embarking into Earth-based healing traditions, started SkyRise Farm in 2018 with the goal of connecting people back to the natural world through creativity and community building. Naturally, she is friends with and otherwise connected to many creatives and small business owners in the Hudson Valley. 

“The last few years post-pandemic have been a really challenging environment for creatives and makers, so I wanted to figure out a way that we could support this special community. This market was a perfect way to do that,” she explained. “We celebrate seasonal and agricultural cycles here on the farm. As the year comes to a close and we step into the darkest stretch of days before the return of the Solstice Sun, we can think of no better way to mark this shift than by coming together joyfully amongst neighbors.” 

The 20 participating market vendors are friends and brand collaborators of Sarah’s, spanning a broad range of mediums from textiles to photography, jewelry, natural beauty, ceramics, woodworking, and more. They include Erica Recto Art, Form + Light, Hort + Pott, JRN Pottery, Laurel + Ash Farm, Mquan Studio, Observed, Tulsi by Tara Hogan, & Tread Well, and many others. Visit Black Barn Market’s website for the full list of vendors.

“I feel incredibly grateful to know such a diverse group of creatives, chefs, farmers, and makers in the Hudson Valley. Every one of our vendors works within an ethos that we greatly admire, many focusing on natural and reclaimed materials through a hyper-local and sustainable lens. There’s a deeper meaning to their offerings,” Sarah explained. 

For Sarah, the Hudson Valley has always been an inspiring place for creatives. “I think that many people are drawn here because of the connection and inspiration they find from the natural world which gets woven into their work. All of our vendors exemplify that.” 

ILSE Coffee, Shared Goods, and Vitsky Bakery will be in the woodshed serving up warming drinks and baked goods, and Westerly Canteen will be serving up a full canteen-style lunch menu from their airstream. Little Apple Cidery will also have libations and mulled cider at the ready. In the back barnyard, Upstate Soul Club will be spinning fireside grooves, and there will also be interactive photo opportunities, community fire ceremonies, and activities for the little ones, among other events.

“I think this can be a really challenging time of year for people. Holidays can be difficult for many; there’s a lot of joy, but there’s also a lot of folks who are experiencing disconnection and grief,” Sarah explained. “Any way that we can create beautiful, collaborative spaces for people to come together is important, and I think that’s what we’re doing here.” 

Giving back to the community 

Maintaining a spirit of balance and reciprocity during the season of giving is incredibly important to Sarah and the folks over at SkyRise Farm. As such, a portion of ticket proceeds will directly benefit Tri Corner F.E.E.D., a nonprofit organization based in Sharon, CT, that is dedicated to addressing food insecurity in the region. 

“Tri Corner F.E.E.D. helps so many of our neighbors who are struggling,” Sarah said. “They are one of the organizations doing such good work to eliminate food insecurity and inequity, as well as support local farmers. They’ll be here at the event too to tell their story and share why their work is so important.”“We’re honored to be creating this space and look forward to welcoming guests to the farm to experience what promises to be a festive weekend to kick off the season! All are welcome.” 

Tickets for the Black Barn Winter Market are $35 each and can be purchased in advance at blackbarnmarket.com, where guests can also find further details and information.