Putnam County Wine & Music Festival return with expanded fun

For 15 years, the Putnam County Wine & Music Festival has been more than a weekend on the calendar — it's been a gathering point for a community that keeps growing. This year, that gathering returns to Putnam County Veterans Memorial Park in Carmel, New York, on Aug. 22-23, 2026, bringing with it a full weekend of live music, wine and spirits tastings, food, family activities and a handful of brand-new attractions.

For Jamaican-born festival founder Lauren Drummond, the milestone anniversary isn't only about reinventing the event — it's about deepening what has always made it special.

"Promoting our community and bringing people together through this festival remains one of my greatest passions," Drummond told Caribbean National Weekly.

And what keeps people coming back, she believes, is something that can't be manufactured.

"What sets our festival apart is its strong family-oriented focus and its celebration of diverse cultures through food, music, arts and community engagement."

That spirit will be easy to find across the two days. The list of acts slated to perform includes Ras Droppa and Skankin Band, Mike Risko & Miriam Risko Duo, the Cross Purpose Band, the Bourbon and Britches Band, the Sundad Band, the Carrie Zazz Band, DJ Saggi, Gratefully Yours, Simone G and Ricki Eric.

New for 2026 is a patty-eating contest, sponsored by Caribbean Food Delights of Tappan, New York, that will test appetites on Sunday at 2 p.m.

Kids and families haven't been left out of the fun, either. SceneSetters NY is bringing giant games and inflatable challenges to the festival grounds, giving young attendees their own corner of the celebration. Chef Vincent Tropepe will lead a cooking demonstration over the weekend, with more chefs and mixologists expected to join the lineup soon.

There's a cause behind the celebration this year, too. Chef Tropepe's nonprofit, the Hospitality Mental Awareness Initiative USA, will serve as the festival's featured charity.

"We are grateful for the support of our sponsors and media partners, and we are continuing conversations with additional potential sponsors," Drummond said.

The list of sponsors and partners includes Hudson Valley Wine Magazine, The Peak 107.1 FM, WHUD 100.7 FM, Durants Party Rentals, Mass Artisan, Realm Music Group, Street Hype Newspaper, Caribbean Food Delights, Fox Pest Control and Reggae Vybes, alongside continued support from Putnam Tourism, the Brewster Chamber of Commerce and the Putnam County Feast of San Gennaro.

There's also a broader moment shaping this year's festival. With the U.S. celebrating 250 years of American history, Drummond said this is an opportunity to look outward as well as inward.

"It's that same spirit — resilience, cultural richness, and a deep sense of belonging — that festivals like Putnam County's strive to capture," she said.