At Hayfields, weekends are made for fun

Spend a fun afternoon and evening enjoying summer with family and friends where you don’t have to do any cooking!

On select Saturdays, starting July 29 and every Saturday in September, from 4:00 – 9:00 p.m., Hayfields will host After Hours, welcoming the community to their garden to forget about work and daily responsibilities, relax, eat some delicious food, and have a good time.

“We realize people are busy during the summer with camps and travel but they’re definitely looking for something to do other times of the year. We started After Hours this year in response to customers wanting a place to go besides a restaurant,” said Hayfields owner Renea Dayton. “Sometimes you don’t want to make the commitment of a restaurant. Think of After Hours like après ski – just a cool hang,” she explained, referencing the French term meaning “after skiing” when skiers enjoy entertaining activities after time spent on the slopes.

The event takes place rain or shine in the market’s rear garden, but is moved inside if the weather doesn’t cooperate. “It’s a beautiful space to hang out,” said Dayton of the green space that’s dotted with picnic tables, seating areas, a greenhouse, and a tree offering shade on warmer days. “Hayfields closes at 5:00 p.m. but our venue and space transforms in the evening, almost like a secret garden – it’s truly a magical place to be. We want to share that with our customers.”

Chef Paul Gileno, director of catering and events, serves up a satisfying garden-style buffet of all-you-can-eat food from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. “He’s excited to showcase the food we do outside of our café menu, allowing customers to see that we’re more than just a café,” she said. The menu changes each time according to the preferences of the chef and catering team, but it always features a lot of green salads, side salads, proteins, vegetables and desserts. eer, wine, soda, and water are also available.

The community might recall the popular music nights Hayfields hosted in the past. “This is a way to reinvent that same vibe. I’m a mother to a wonderful four-year-old and the hours of 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. are always a difficult time,” said Dayton. “You’ve done every activity and played with every toy but still need another hour or so to fill the day and you don’t feel like cooking yet another meal. So, we started hosting a kid-friendly programmed activity to give parents a break, followed by food and background music into the evening for the adult crowd.”

After Hours kicks off with an hour of children's activities followed by kid-friendly food served at 5:00 p.m. “They’re always interactive and give the parents an hour off. They can sit back, have a beer or wine, and let their kids enjoy some fun activities,” Dayton said. To date, After Hours children’s entertainment has included Animal Embassy, Pop Art Kids, and Graham Clarke Music.

Throughout the evening, a guitar player will offer light acoustic music while attendees mingle and celebrate a night out. Dayton encourages people to bring cards, board games, and lawn games for recreation. “Our space is your space,” she said.

Overall, Dayton appreciates the opportunity to provide a venue where the community can gather and enjoy a nice evening out. “We hope people enjoy a simple, easy place to gather and hang,” she said. “We hope we can provide a need and want in the community.”

After Hour takes place at Hayfields on select Saturdays from 4:00 – 9:00p.m. at 1 Bloomer Road, North Salem. Cost: children ages 3-14, $20; Adults, $45. For more information, call (914) 669-8275 or visit: hayfieldsmarket.com/after-hours/