By Niko Balkaran
Residents gathered at Kristi Babcock Memorial Park Saturday as New Windsor’s 17th Community Day brought families, community organizations and town services together for a day of activities and entertainment.
More than 100 merchandise vendors and over 20 food trucks participated in this year’s event, alongside mechanical rides, inflatables, helicopter rides and a hot-air balloon, according to Parks and Recreation Director Jessica Dickinson. Community Day also featured an evening fireworks display that Town Supervisor Stephen Bedetti described as “bigger, louder, longer” to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States.
Before the main festivities began at noon, organizers offered a sensory-friendly period, opening the rides early without music.
For New Windsor resident Melvina Blake, Community Day offered a chance to see neighbors come out and spend time with one another.
“We’re all together and I like that,” Blake said. “It’s a nice thing.”
Blake, who learned about Community Day through Facebook, attended with her daughter and said she particularly enjoyed the children’s play area.
Throughout the park, community groups used the event to introduce their work to residents, recruit members and raise money for their programs.
Members of the Cornwall cheer program lifted children into the air, giving them a chance to try cheerleading as part of their demonstration. The group was also raising money for a trip to Orlando, Florida, where the squad plans to compete at nationals at Disney during the last week of January, to reduce how much families have to pay.
First responders also attended Community Day to connect with residents and recruit new members.
New Windsor Police Chief Daniel Valeri said officers staffed the community policing tent, handing out department information and toy police cars to children while speaking with residents about how to reach police.
“We’re just here to interact with the people as they’re coming in,” Chief Valeri said. “Just to let the community know that we’re here for them and how they can reach us.”
New Windsor EMS provided medical coverage for the day and was joined by the New Windsor and Vails Gate Fire Departments, with the agencies trying to recruit new members.
Jorge Resto of the New Windsor Fire Department, who said he has spent 33 years in volunteer organizations, said that experience can provide training and open the door to other opportunities.
His involvement led him to become a scuba diving and CPR instructor, while he has seen others go on to have careers in firefighting, law enforcement and health care.
“It’s a stepping stone to getting things,” Resto said. “It’s like the foundation of a building. You got to have a solid foundation to then build up.”
Behind Saturday’s activities were months of planning involving several town departments, including police, EMS and Buildings and Grounds. The departments coordinated permits, food vendor requirements and other preparations at the park ahead of the event.
“It’s months in advance and lots of planning and back work every day to ensure that everybody’s ready for today,” said Town Board member Sylvia Santiago.
Once Community Day gets underway, however and departments, organizations and vendors take on their respective roles, the event “runs itself once everybody gets started because it is a place where everybody pitches in,” Parks and Recreation Director Dickinson said.
This was the second consecutive year Community Day was held in September after previously taking place in August. Town officials said that moving the event later in the year brought cooler weather and gave families an activity after children returned to school.
The event also included a food pantry collection and backpack raffle, while the town shared information about its services and programs like the New Windsor Heroes Banner, established to honor residents who have served or are currently serving in the U.S. Armed Forces.
Sponsors helped to cover the cost of Community Day and several of its attractions. Dickinson said that support helped keep the cost from falling on taxpayers.
“People just deserve a fun day and they deserve a fun day that they didn’t have to foot the bill for,” said Dickinson.