2022 Awards of Distinction Finalist Spotlight: Family Entertainment

Date Published: September 8, 2022

Family Entertainment Finalists: Barton Orchards and Tree Top Adventures | Gravity Vault | Sinterklaas

2022 Awards of Distinction Family Entertainment

Congratulations to the Family Entertainment Award of Distinction Finalists!

Barton Orchards and Tree Top Adventures, Poughquag
Gravity Vault, Poughkeepsie
Sinterklaas, Rhinebeck

The Family Entertainment Award of Distinction recognizes businesses and organizations that provide phenomenal and innovative offerings to visitors and contribute to a “Storied Experience” for travelers coming to Dutchess. Join Dutchess Tourism in celebrating all the honorees at the 9th annual Dutchess Tourism Awards of Distinction breakfast at The Henry A. Wallace Center at the FDR Presidential Library and Home in Hyde Park, NY. Read more about the event here.

Learn more about each finalist from Barton Orchards and Tree Top Adventures Owner Peter Barton, Gravity Vault VP of Operations Karen Davidson and Sinterklaas Artistic and Producing Director Jeanne Fleming (Hudson Valley Community Productions).

What about your business/organization inspires you?

Peter Barton, Barton Orchards and Tree Top Adventures: The idea that families make it a tradition to visit the farm year after year over generations. We have some of the most amazing regulars who are like family to us.

Karen Davidson, Gravity Vault: We pride ourselves on providing an enjoyable indoor rock climbing experience for climbers of all ages and ability levels. People come to us to have a good time making it a fun and friendly environment. Climbing fosters a true sense of community; people connect and make lasting friendships in our facility.

Jeanne Fleming, Sinterklaas: Everything! The chance to do creative and meaningful work in my community.

What makes your destination/organization unique?

Peter Barton, Barton Orchards and Tree Top Adventures: We are an inclusive farm that welcomes everyone, including dogs. In addition to pick-your-own fruits and vegetables, we offer a variety of entertainment and festivals throughout the season.

Karen Davidson, Gravity Vault: Our climbing walls are up to 40' high! We offer programming for all ages and ability levels. Climbers do not need to be matched in age, size or ability to climb together, making this a great sport for the whole family. Climbing is also a full body workout!

Jeanne Fleming, Sinterklaas: Events like Sinterklaas are rare...it is the special confluence of commerce and culture: creative people, a beautiful village, government, enlightened businesses, a close spiritual community and a celebration of artists who attended to all that.

What are your hopes for the future of travel in Dutchess County?

Peter Barton, Barton Orchards and Tree Top Adventures: We hope that Dutchess County continues to thrive as the premiere fall destination of the northeast.

Karen Davidson, Gravity Vault: We hope to see tourism increase in Dutchess County so that we can continue to introduce the exciting sport of rock climbing to more and more people.

Jeanne Fleming, Sinterklaas: That folks will come and stay for a while and get the feeling of this special, beautiful spot on earth.