The Pine Bush First Fridays committee hosted its latest First Friday on November 3 in Crawford Square, a monthly event held between May and December that celebrated local businesses, artists and musicians.

The original Pine Bush First Friday was hosted in October 2020 to help small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. Pine Bush First Fridays Inc., the committee that organizes these events, is a nonprofit organization comprised of volunteers from the Town of Crawford and Pine Bush’s Chambers of Commerce. While the group was formed in 2020, it became an official corporation in June of 2021 with help from Domaine Ragni, Ellen Quimby, Linda Nilon and Michael Swensen.

This month’s First Friday featured refreshments, raffle prizes, performances from the musical duo JUSTUS and several vendors who sold a diverse array of goodies and enjoyed their time at the event.

“We love it, there’s a lot of families that come out. The Chamber of Commerce is awesome,” said Wendy, an associate of Just Us Three Soap Co., whose group sold artisan-crafted soaps and skincare products to residents.

“I do quite enjoy it, yes, been coming a year and a half or two. I come to almost every one,” said Nancy Werany, owner of Have Jewelry, Will Travel, who offered a dazzling display of jewelry.

“Been doing it for two years, it’s a great event for small and local businesses,” said Evan Favaro, owner of Speakeasy Motor Whiskey Co., who sold bottles of whiskey and provided free tastings.

“It’s a great little event, it has a lot of room to grow,” said Alexis, whose spouse Angel Pinero, owner of The Mystical Realm, sold Native American and spiritual goods.

“It’s my second one, I love it. The community comes together, and it’s relaxing,” said Sharese, who sold colorful bracelets and Croc charms at the event.

“I think it’s a great community event that brings the community together,” said Matt, an associate of Phoenix Tattoos, who showed residents samples of the business’s tattoo artists.

Additionally, the committee received its first grant, the 2023 Stuart Turner Placemaking Grant, from Vision Hudson Valley. The committee did not disclose how it will utilize the $2,000 check and will publicly reveal its plans at a later date.

The committee will host its next event on December 2 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., which will include a tractor parade and a tree lighting. More information can be found on the committee’s website at pinebushfirstfridays.com.