festival

Re-Discovering the Splendor of Downtown Chappaqua

November 13, 2019 by The Inside Press

By Marianne Campolongo

With chic boutiques, salons for pampering, toys and ice cream cones to keep kids happy, and restaurants to suit every palate, it is fun to shop and dine in downtown Chappaqua. Whether your tastes run to antiques or modern design, practical clothing or the latest fashions, you are sure to find what you need in one of the shops along the village’s tree-lined streets.

With the Chappaqua Downtown Revitalization Project nearing completion, visiting town will soon be even more enjoyable. After tearing up portions of the road and sidewalk to replace crumbling infrastructure, including underground water mains, sewer lines, and stormwater drains, some over 80 years old, the town will look better than ever with new wider sidewalks, improved roadways, pedestrian plazas, beautiful plantings, seating walls, and other amenities to make the village even more inviting and pedestrian-friendly.

The downtown area runs from the top of Bedford Road (Route 117) down King Street and then branches out along North and South Greeley Avenues. On a beautiful spring day, take a moment to enjoy the lush star magnolias in bloom at the small park on the top of King Street before you head toward town. Within a few feet you can purchase clothes, get marketing or spiritual advice, pick up convenience store necessities, wines and spirits, do your banking, get your nails and hair done (and get your furry friends groomed as well), get your clothes dry cleaned, grab a sandwich, pizza, or cup of coffee, and you’ve just started out.

As you travel down the hill, older homes with lush green lawns sit side-by-side with houses repurposed by local businesses such as dentists and doctors, architects and antique shops, making for a pleasant walk. You’ll notice a myriad of professionals you can call on without straying beyond the boundaries of downtown Chappaqua.

For over 65 years now, spring is time for the First Congregational Church’s Barn Sale, so put aside items to donate while you do your spring cleaning, or head to the sale to buy new and gently used items at bargain prices. St. John and Mary Roman Catholic Church’s Spring Festival features games, crafts and wonderful food, and is also fast becoming a new Chappaqua tradition.

Although it is technically spring, the annual Memorial Day Parade marks the official start of the summer season. As a tradition for over 80 years, June brings St. Mary the Virgin Episcopal Church’s Strawberry Festival with all its crafts, music, games, and great food including scrumptious strawberry shortcake baked by the church’s parishioners. An end of school SummerFest, a newcomer on the scene has activity floats, gymnastic instruction, raffles and live music at the gazebo; it was already a big hit its first year. On Wednesday nights in July, the gazebo is in full swing with the Summer Concert Series. Bring a picnic dinner or buy from pop-ups hosted by local restaurants. And be sure to check out the weekly Chappaqua Farmer’s Market. Also, there’s festivity and deals galore at the annual and much anticipated summer July Sidewalk Sale!

The Northern Westchester Artists Guild (NWAG) is particularly busy in the summer, with outdoor art sales. Throughout the year they also sponsor Art Around Town where local businesses host an artist. Spend the evening going from store to store viewing art and enjoying drinks and hors d’oeuvre. The NWAG just opened a new studio space in town, too.

When the weather gets warmer, many restaurants place tables outside, so it is a great time to meet a friend or take the family out for a meal. The new wider sidewalks are sure to make dining al fresco on any beautiful day or eve even better.

As autumn approaches and the nesting urge takes hold, interior designers, antique dealers, picture framers, and home goods stores can help you find ways to redecorate, or you can simply pop into town for a bouquet of flowers to brighten up your home. Make room for new purchases by donating older items to local consignment shops, pick up a charming find at bargain prices, or get DIY advice at the local hardware store. The fall is also a great time to learn more about your community and Community Day, hosted by the Rotary Club (see below), is a great place to start. Food, fun activities for the kids, and booths sponsored by all manner of town groups and businesses will give you insight. The Chappaqua Children’s Book Festival and the Ragamuffin Parade at Halloween round out the fall fun.

Winter is a great time to find a good book at the Chappaqua Library or the wonderful independent bookstore to curl up with by the fire, or buy a sled or shovel for outdoor activity. Warm coats, snow boots and other outdoor gear are easy to find right in town. Beautiful cocktail dresses and finely tailored suits are also on the agenda, with sparkling jewels to round out your outfit. You might even spy one of the Clintons completing their holiday shopping and strike up a conversation. Wander into the charming Horace Greeley House, which houses the New Castle Historical Society, to learn about the town’s beginnings, or simply enjoy the beautiful fir tree outside, lit up for the holiday season. It is also the season for Wine Around Town, sponsored by the Chappaqua-Millwood Chamber of Commerce. Merchants throughout downtown Chappaqua host special sales along with free wine tastings and hors d’oeuvre.

It is only about a mile long, but you can find nearly everything you need from shopping to dining to services in Chappaqua’s downtown district. So, before you trek off to the crowded mall, try shopping local. You will be glad you did!

Editor’s Note: There has been much excitement and patronag e of the supermarkets that have opened. (See our stories on Millwood/West End and about Chappaqua Crossing.) Many ‘Chappaquans’ continue to appreciate the small thriving food markets downtown too and, of course, all the vibrant dining in/take out options. Bon appétit!

Pleasantville Day: Community Fun & Friendship

August 24, 2019 by Charlotte Harter

The town of Pleasantville was awash with smiles and laughter, the sounds of live music, and the unmistakable scent of funnel cake and popcorn as the community celebrated yet another successful Pleasantville Day festival on Saturday, May 18th. A tradition lasting over thirty years, Pleasantville Day is not only a day of fun and games for the children, but also an important reminder to their parents of the joys of living in a small, close-knit community. Filled with colorful booths, carnival rides, dance showcases, and an impressive selection of food, there truly is something for everyone. This year, the festival boasted a juggling stilt-walker, human statue, and giant inflatable slide in addition to its usual activities to keep it feeling new and exciting despite its long run in the town.

Soon after arriving at Memorial Plaza, children of all ages were gleefully laughing and clutching onto their cotton candy as they played games and won prizes. But Pleasantville Day isn’t just a day for the children–parents enjoyed themselves equally, chatting, enjoying the live jazz music, and entering raffles to win gifts provided by local businesses. Even the pets of Pleasantville seemed to be having a good time with no shortage of furry faces. Besides the expected endless stands filled with games and crafts, Pleasantville Day also hosted a diverse number of tables this year, including a sports equipment swap, town conservation awareness booth, and a variety of fundraising tables for Pleasantville High School clubs. Pleasantville Day is truly a cherished day in the community which provides a unique opportunity for townspeople of all ages to come together and enjoy a day of fun and celebration. This event has become somewhat of an institution in the village, a powerful reminder of the beauty of living in a tight-knit, small town in which every face is a familiar and friendly one. In essence, Pleasantville Day is an embodiment of all the values Pleasantville aims to encapsulate: friendship, fun, and most importantly, community.

The Making of the 45th Annual Fol-De-Rol: A Fun-Filled Event for All

May 31, 2019 by Amy Kelley

Lea, a puppy sponsored by the Armonk Lions who partcipates in Puppies Behind Bars
PHOTO COURTESY OF ARMONK LIONS CLUB

This year will be the 45th of that beloved Armonk tradition, the annual Fol-De-Rol. From June 6-9, residents and visitors will flood Wampus Community Park to enjoy rides, food, vendors, entertainment and more – there will even be a pig race–all arranged for and run by the Armonk Lions Club, to raise funds for their many charitable endeavors.

“It takes you back,” North Castle Town Supervisor Michael J. Schiliro, a longtime Armonk resident, said of the Fol-De-Rol. “It’s a throwback–a simple country fair.”

Schiliro said preparation for the event isn’t too demanding for the town. They plan for police presence, and ready the park. The volunteer firefighters make sure a truck is there. The advance work is really done, he said, by the Lions.

“We plan all year,” said Douglas Martino, president of the Armonk Lions Club. “In January we kick into high gear.” Members of the Lions get permits and insurance and get vendors–an extremely time-consuming process, Martino said. “We don’t like to have two of the same type of vendor.”

Categories such as jewelry may have duplicates, because attendees appreciate choice in certain categories, but overall there’s a three-person committee that seeks to find a diverse and interesting group of vendors who sell everything from pet food to local honey.

“During the event itself we man the ticket booths, set up for the vendors and help them, help set up the tables and so on,” Martino said, adding that the Lions also arrange for lavatories. They bring doughnuts and coffee to the vendors early in the morning to show appreciation as well. “We sell raffle tickets throughout the event,” Martino said. First prize will be $1,000.

A Way to Mark the Years…

Stacy Wilder has lived in Armonk for 25 years. And over time, her experience at the Fol-De-Rol has changed. For a while, she took her children to the rides. “It’s nice to have something so local, without having to go to Playland or Great Adventure,” Wilder said.

As Wilder’s children got older, they wanted to go to the Fol-De-Rol with their friends. “It’s like a rite of passage in Armonk, to go at night with your buddies,” Wilder said. Now, Wilder attends by herself. She enjoys seeing the many people she knows in town, and perusing the vendor’s wares.

And Bring in New Faces

Neal Schwartz, owner of Armonk-based College Planning of Westchester and president of the Armonk Chamber of Commerce, always set up as a vendor at the Fol-De-Rol when his business was new and he was looking to get to know people in town and spread the word about his services in a friendly way, without a hard sell. “That was how I connected to the community,” he said.

Schwartz said besides benefitting good causes, “the biggest benefit (of the Fol-De-Rol) is that some people may not have been familiar with Armonk and might never have been here before. It certainly brings people to town and keeps them in town for that particular weekend and there’s natural overflow.” Attendees often seek out local restaurants for a meal before or after, Schwartz said.

The Fol-De-Rol has even caused interest in living in Armonk, Schwartz said. “The hope is–and it’s happened–that they’ll come and then they’ll say, ‘This is where I want to live.’”

“The Armonk Lions Club gets all the credit in the world for putting this thing on–and then they put the money back into the community,” Schiliro said. “It’s a win-win-win-win-win.”

The Armonk Lions Club helps fund scholarships every year, built a gazebo in Wampus Park, and underwrote the North Castle Citizen’s Council Disaster Relief Trailer, among many other local contributions, Martino said, adding that they’re always looking for new people to join the Lions. The Lions also donate to Open Door medical centers, Meals on Wheels, Guiding Eyes for the Blind, and many more, especially sight-related charities. The Armonk Lions is sponsoring Lea, a puppy who is part of the program Puppies Behind Bars. Lea will be trained by an inmate at the Bedford Correctional Facility and hopefully one day will become a service dog for an injured veteran or first responder.

“If it’s a nice day–and that’s the risk factor in all this–you’re outside,” Schwartz said of the Fol-De-Rol. “What’s not to like?”

Nothing Sweeter: The 82nd Annual Strawberry Festival

May 28, 2019 by The Inside Press

There was fun anticipated for all on June 1; there’s also nothing sweeter than the sound of children of all ages enjoying carnival games and rides. And for 82 years, this time-honored tradition has been upheld in Chappaqua at the Church of St. Mary the Virgin’s Strawberry Festival. Live music, a petting zoo and vendors including those selling strawberry shortcake round out the fun-filled day. For so many area residents, it’s always a great way to start your summer fun and stock up on scrumptious strawberry jam.

Church of St. Mary the Virgin

191 South Greeley Avenue

Chappaqua

The Making of the Pleasantville Music Festival

March 8, 2019 by David Propper

Managing ‘a zillion moving parts’ to create an all-day music extravaganza

Save the Date: July 13, 2019

When longtime Pleasantville resident Bruce Figler attended his first ever Pleasantville Music Festival, it was in 2005. That happened to be the inaugural year for the event, and Figler, who has been in the radio business, helped the original founders hook in a music station to be part of the all-day affair.

“I was perfectly happy sitting backstage with a beer hanging out with the radio station people, with the bands, going on stage introducing an act, hanging out with my family in the field for awhile,” Figler said.

“That was my life, it was a pretty easy life.”

Fast-forward more than a decade later, and Figler, who owns Creative Sound Works on Wheeler Avenue, is now the executive director of the yearly music festival that brings about 4,000 people to Parkway Field to hear a jam packed lineup of musical talent perform. His life is a little busier now than back in 2005 with months of planning going into the creation of the festival.

Figler works with an executive staff of about ten people and a volunteer base of more than 100 that live in the region (mostly Pleasantville and Chappaqua). Each year, he and staff members discuss what worked and what didn’t work that year with the desire to be more efficient the following year. A survey is also sent to attendees so Figler can receive feedback.

Once a review of the previous year is over, finding a new set of bands gets underway as early as December. Figler said he and the other staff members try to nail down different musicians that will please a wide range of demographics with Figler compiling a “wish list” of about 30 bands and musicians he’d love to go after.

But because the festival is a municipally run–rather than private–event, there are limitations Figler has to grapple with. Other festivals can offer more money to performers and some festivals have exclusivity rights, which means a band can’t perform within a certain radius within a certain time frame. He estimated that for every ten more prominent bands/musicians he reaches out to, seven reject him.

For the bigger bands, Figler said he tells them if they come to Pleasantville, it would be “an easier festival, it’s very manageable, you can be in and out pretty quickly.”

Additionally, because the festival is involved with a radio station (107.1 The Peak), that station supports the booked musicians which result in airtime for them leading up to the festival. A band could find a new base of fans in the suburbs, Figler said.

While the pursuit of big acts can be an arduous task, the festival also needs to find smaller bands and musicians, which begins two or three months before the festival.

Up and coming bands can submit through the festival’s website with staff members taking trips to hear different contending bands. “We’re becoming very diverse musically so I try to find something for everyone,” Figler said.

Pleasantville resident Jim Zimmerman, who founded the music festival in 2005 with Bernie Gordon and the late Lisa Wenzel, said the first year he helped put it together, it was like a second full-time job. Part of his motivation to start the festival was to give smaller bands and musicians a larger stage to perform. Some bands have gone on to bigger and better things, he pointed out.

“I had to develop all the systems and recruit so it was quite a project nevertheless,” Zimmerman said. “Everything had to be done by scratch.” Figler joked he doesn’t have to create the wheel like Zimmerman did, only keep it spinning.

While the music lineup is the most significant set to put together, Figler has to secure sponsors and vendors, many of which are eateries from Pleasantville and surrounding towns. There is also a push by a recycling group to ensure it is a zero waste event. Law enforcement and the department of public works are conferred with considering this is the largest public gathering in the small village each year.

The day of the event, Figler said weather is always an uncontrolled variable that has to be monitored. The last three years there has either been rain or a threat of a storm so the village recreational offices become a makeshift weather station. Said Figler: “There’s a zillion moving parts to this thing.”