The Vision of Wallkill, in partnership with Wallkill Public Library and other Shawangunk organizations, showed residents a good time last week during the hamlet’s annual Weekend at Wallkill, hosted on the library’s front lawn at 7 Bona Ventura Avenue. Established in 2014, this two-day celebration offers various activities, food, music, and contests for the community to enjoy.

The weekend kicked off on Friday, September 20 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. with Lego constructions, storytime sessions, and an egg hunt. The VOW also held the first part of its photo and art show, featuring around 90 entries that illustrated the wonders and beauties of Wallkill and the surrounding area.

“I think it’s very nice. There’s much more stuff to do here than last year,” said Cecilia, a resident who hung out with her friends at the event. Aliyah, one of Cecilia’s friends, added that she “loves the people here, they’re very kind and sweet.”

The festivities continued on Saturday, September 21 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., boasting even more things to do than the previous day. Throughout the morning and afternoon, attendees visited craft and business vendors, ordered hot lunches from food trucks, played lawn games, touched a few emergency vehicles, and watched firefighter demonstrations. The VOW hosted several raffles and contests, the latter including dog costumes, floral designs, Lego builds, and the viewers’ choices for the photo and art show. The weekend concluded with a steak dinner at Popp Park.

“I love it. It’s nice to have the community together,” said Brianna Merril, a Wallkill High School senior who raised money with her peers for the school’s recreation programs.

“It went wonderful, good turnout and the weather was great. We have more people here than last year,” said Jane Roscoe, a VOW member and the Town of Shawangunk’s clerk. “Everyone’s safe and having a good time.”

The winners of this year’s photo and art show included the following:

For Wallkill photos, Helen Tighe’s “Eagle on Water” won first place, followed by Julie Craner’s “Winterberries Landscape” and Ken Lauria’s “Landscape with Wavy Clouds.” For non-Wallkill photos, Ken Lauria’s “Milk Factory in Black/White” and “Laundry Hanging Over Street” won both first and second place, followed by Helen Witherel’s “Apple Bees.”

For paintings and drawings, Don Taylor’s “Historic Rail Trail” won first place, followed by Michalyn Monson’s “Heron” and Julia Tighe’s “Lake Minnewaska.” For other art media, Tom Hutt’s “Lenape Tribute” won first place, followed by Judith Meier’s “Adirondack Rucksack” and Paula Southwell’s “Sailboat in Glass & Shell Seascape.”

For the judges’ choices, they selected Vaune Sherin’s “Wallkill River Painting” and Beverly Cooper’s “Farm Hayfield Painting.” For viewers’ choices, residents selected Don Taylor’s “Historic Rail Trail.”