Big improvements are happening at the Ashokan Center, and visitors to Hoot Hill will soon benefit from a major infrastructure upgrade that supports our events, vendors, and commitment to environmental stewardship.
Thanks to the generosity of Marianne Kearney, a new electrical service project is nearing completion that will provide reliable power to the top of Hoot Hill for years to come.
A Long-Awaited Improvement
For many years, events held on Hoot Hill relied on gas and diesel-powered generators to provide electricity for vendors, food trucks, and event operations. While effective, generators required ongoing maintenance, consumed significant amounts of fossil fuel, and often needed to run for long periods during major events.
Recognizing the opportunity to create a more sustainable and efficient solution, the Ashokan Center began work on a permanent electrical infrastructure project that will dramatically improve how power is delivered to one of the campus’s most active event spaces.
The Project
Working with Tony Gallo of Gallo Electric and led by Joe Martignetti, our Project Manager, they installed a new 400-amp electrical service designed specifically to support the needs of Hoot Hill events.
The project involved significant underground infrastructure work across campus:
- A new electrical panel was installed in the upper parking lot.
- Crews dug underground through the upper parking area to bring service to the site.
- A trench was then extended from the upper parking lot to the top of Hoot Hill.
- New electrical service was installed throughout the area.
- Twelve dedicated 20-amp outlets and one 50-amp outlet were added at the top of Hoot Hill.
The result is a modern electrical system capable of supporting multiple vendors and event operations simultaneously.
Benefits for Events and Vendors
Once connected and activated by Central Hudson, food trucks, vendors, and event partners will have direct access to reliable electrical service.
This means:
- Less reliance on generators.
- Reduced fossil fuel consumption.
- Lower noise levels during events.
- More convenient setup for vendors.
- Improved infrastructure for festivals, concerts, community gatherings, and special events.
Providing permanent electrical access not only improves the experience for vendors but also helps Ashokan continue its commitment to operating in a more environmentally responsible way.
Looking Ahead
The majority of the project has already been completed. The final step is connection and activation by Central Hudson, which is anticipated within the next month.
When finished, this investment will serve countless visitors, performers, vendors, and community members who gather on Hoot Hill each year.
A Gift That Will Benefit Generations
Projects like this often happen behind the scenes, but their impact can be felt for decades. We are deeply grateful to Marianne Kearney for making this improvement possible through her generous donation.
Her support is helping build a stronger, more sustainable future for the Ashokan Center while ensuring that Hoot Hill remains a vibrant gathering place for music, food, celebration, and community.
We look forward to putting this new infrastructure to use and welcoming vendors and visitors to a more connected—and greener—Hoot Hill.