The Town of Newburgh celebrated the annual Community Day celebration on Wednesday, July 3 with local food vendors and community organization booths in attendance, capped off with the annual display of fireworks later in the evening.

“Tonight, we really have a beautiful evening, a beautiful crowd and outstanding fireworks still I predict will be,” said Town Supervisor Gil Piaquadio. “Can’t get better than this.”

Amongst those in attendance were veterans from across the town, including Duane Mickle, who ran a booth for the American Legion at the event. “I feel great. It’s a nice crowd. It’s a nice evening. The weather’s beautiful,” said Mickle. “I appreciate the fact that you can have this many people and not have any problems. Everybody’s just getting along as good as good can be.”

While the festivities were in full swing, music played and the smells of food filled the air, all while families tried to stay cool from the summer heat. Staff members from the recreation department such as Rebecca D’Addio and camp counselors assisted behind the scenes, making sure things ran smoothly.

“We have a really great turnout. A lot of great stuff going on,” said D’Addio. “It’s just really great to see the community come out. Everybody’s in such great moods and having a good time, lots of kids enjoying the bounce houses and the ice cream and all the other vendors, friends and family hanging out waiting for the fireworks to come on.”

While on one side of the park were bounce houses and watch parties, a large American flag flew in the air, attached to Cronomer Valley and Winona Lake ladder trucks. Members of Winona Lake, Cronomer Valley, Middlehope and Good-Will Fire Departments and the Town of Newburgh EMS had their own stations and vehicles on display for residents to admire. At the Good-Will department booth, members handed out material on fire safety and conversed with community members about recruitment or just said hello as they walked by during the afternoon.

“It’s great to see everybody come together, and it’s great to get out there with the community,” said Amy Kosturik of Good Will FD. “We [Good Will] really are making a big push to try and recruit new people ages 16 and up, that would come in and join our ranks, join our family and help to protect our community. We want people to know us and recognize us, and at the same time, we want people to join us.”

Other organizations such as Boy Scout Troop 4027 with several of the scouts and team leaders went around the area, talking to families and parents and handed out flags with information about their group to raise awareness and interest in joining. Andrew Amundsen, the newly appointed scoutmaster for the troop was happy to see the community come together and have the opportunity for him and his scouts yo meet and talk with neighbors, new and old.

“I just think being out in the community at things like this just keeps everybody together, just makes everything more happy,” said Amundsen. “I’m hoping to run the troop the best that I can, run it professionally, and hope these kids will learn and have a great time while they’re here.”

As the sun began to set over the treetops, the park lights came on to illuminate the entire field for the final time while people still grabbed food and patiently waited for the fireworks. Test fireworks went off before they started going one after the other, filling the night sky with red, white, blue and other colors and concluded another annual celebration of Community Day for Newburgh.