Weekend escape: Brats + Brews Festival at Hunter Mountain

This weekend is the annual Hunter Mountain Brats and Brews Festival, with two days of music, arts and crafts, and lots of good food and drink, at the base lodge and grounds of the ski resort.  The weekend — which used to be known as the German Alps Festival — stars 18-time Grammy Award Winner Jimmy Sturr and His Orchestra, and includes oompah bands and other acts, including some from the real German and Austrian Alps.  Hunter Mountain’s Skyride will be operating over the weekend, so absolutely take the chairlift to the summit for a great view.  Or, hitch yourself to a cable and take a ride with  New York Zipline Adventure Tours — although it’s best to do that before you load up on brats and brews.  Reservations for the zipline are strongly recommended; call 800-486-8376. Festival grounds open at 11am on Saturday and live entertainment ends at 9:30pm with fireworks.   On Sunday, the ends at 6pm.  Admission is $9.00 per person if purchased online, or $12 at the door.