OLIVEBRIDGE — Over the years, The Ashokan Center’s Winter Hoot has become a signature Hudson Valley event. The 11th edition is set for Feb. 2 – 4.

The Winter Hoot is a three-day festival, a community celebration with music, food and activities. Ruth Ungar Merenda, who co-founded the Hoot with her husband, Mike Merenda, described it as, “kind of like a big house party. The Winter Hoot is more intimate than the larger Summer Hoot, most of which is held outdoors, and has more of a local Catskills feeling.”

The Hoot starts out on Friday evening with an upscale, locally sourced organic dinner meal offering meat, gluten-free, and vegan options. Then comes the Friday night concert.

This year’s Friday headliners are Jay Ungar and Molly Mason, who will treat the audience to a program of folk and fiddle music. Jay Ungar is globally known as the composer of “Ashokan Farewell,” the theme for the Ken Burns Civil War series on PBS. After that, there’s a jam session, and everybody is invited to bring their instruments so they can play or sing along.

Saturday has more of a festival feel, with live roots music starting at 11 a.m.

Ruth Ungar Merenda and Mike Merenda are the Hoot’s hosts. They also perform with their band, The Mammals, and will take the stage Saturday evening. The day’s lineup also includes:

• Lau Noah, an astounding self-taught guitarist and widely touring solo performer known for her soothing voice and intricate counterpoint

• Mikaela Davis, a harpist and songwriter who plays across genres of music from pop to folk with her rock quintet

• The Evening Bells—Eamon O’Leary and Elise Leavy bring a folk sound that includes flavors of California, Dublin, New York, New England and Louisiana

• Jeremy Schonfeld plays pop, gospel, hard rock, soul, blues and composes for the theater

• Little Roots share accessible folk and roots music for babies, toddlers, “big kids” and their grown-ups

• Mini-concerts in Ashokan’s beautiful pewter shop

Overall, this year’s lineup have a certain “dreamy” quality in common that according to Merenda will “heal the heart and inspire the soul.”

The Mammals hit the stage at 8 p.m. with a lively set of their own original songs rich with vocal harmony and heavily influenced by roots traditions. Newcomers may be surprised to hear the audience singing along to all the words, as this is always a very special “homecoming” moment for the band. Then, at 10, it’s time for the boisterous evening square dance - no partner or previous experience needed. 

After the dance, lingerers will be treated to a late-night set from Woodstock-raised singer Storey Littleton. Now based in Brooklyn and attracting attention for her mood-rich indie rock, she is a musician on the brink of releasing her debut full-length solo album.

Saturday also offers other opportunities beyond the music: a guided hike, blacksmithing demonstrations, a Kids Zone full of activities, and a silent auction. A remarkable ice sculpture by Thomas Brown, an artist in demand worldwide, will be on display in the courtyard.

Sunday morning, things culminate with a yoga session and a community singalong that concludes at noon. All abilities and voices are welcome. 

“It’s a wonderful way to take the good energy with you,” Merenda said. Although the Winter Hoot is three days, people can choose how much of it they want to attend. “Attendees are welcome for an hour, a day, or the whole weekend.”

Here’s the price breakdown:

• Weekend pass—$50, and free for Hootsters under 18

• Friday concert only—$25

• Saturday only—$35

• Sunday—$10

• Friday dinner—$30 for adults, $15 for Hoot volunteers and those under 18

• On-site lodging in the dorm-style Longhouse includes Saturday and Sunday breakfast and is sold separately

• Saturday lunch and dinner on-site are vended festival style

For advance tickets, visit https://hoot.love/tickets.

Admission at the gate is also available on a sliding rate scale; no one is turned away for lack of funds.

Merenda said, “What’s most important is that people come and have a good time.” 

Event proceeds support The Ashokan Center’s ongoing work to inspire learning and build community through shared experiences in nature, history, music, and art.