The schedule of events for the Second Annual Hoosick Pumpkinpalooza is loaded with family-friendly activities that will appeal to visitors young and old. A tentative listing of events appears on the Hoosick Area Youth Center & Community Coalition (HAYC3) website, www.hoosickyouth.org. During the festival, the most current information will be available at the information booths located in Wood Memorial Park and at the Town of Hoosick Athletic Fields. Both locations are just off Main Street in Hoosick Falls.
Friday Night Kick-Off
The celebration kicks off Friday, September 24, from 7 to 10 pm with a party in Wood Park sponsored by Thorpe’s Pharmacy, Baker’s Insurance and WCW, Inc. Enjoy New Orleans style jazz from “Buck2Fifty” and tasty treats from Wyman Concessions. Glow necklaces and official Pumpkinpalooza T-shirts will be available for sale.
Pancake Breakfast
The HAYC3 Youth Impact Team is hosting a pancake breakfast at the Town Athletic Fields beginning at 8 am. Proceeds will benefit their December trip to New Orleans to volunteer for Habitat for Humanity. Pancakes, juice and coffee will be sold under the tent. Price Chopper and Dunkin’ Donuts made donations to this event.
5K And Fun Run
Saturday morning, September 25, opens with the Pumpkinpalooza 5K Run/Walk, sponsored by Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics. The race starts and ends in Wood Memorial Park and winds through the Village of Hoosick Falls. Online registration is still available at www.hoosickyouth.org. The first 50 registrants will receive a free T-shirt and a gift bag. Same day registration begins at 7:30 am The race will start at 9 am. There will be several age categories and medals will be awarded.
At 10 am a Youth Fun Run sponsored by Taconic and Delurey Sales & Service will take place. Youngsters under 12 will run along Main Street from Wood Park to the Town Athletic Fields. Those completing the run will receive a ribbon. No pre-registration is required.
Games And Vendors
In Wood Park a number of merchandise vendors and information booths will be set up from 9 am to 4 pm and there are many games and craft booths planned. There will be a bounce house, an inflatable slide and a rock wall. Facepainting, mini-manicures, and a pie wheel will all be part of the fun. To support our KaBoom! Play Day there will be a hula hoop corral and a community service art project. The games and play areas are sponsored by DePaula Chevrolet-Hummer, Dollar Deals, Miles for Matthew Hoosick Falls Cystic Fibrosis Team, Hoosick True Value and the Army National Guard. Renee Trombley is donating her services to offer the manicures.
Wyman’s Concessions, Coffee Connection, the Hoosick Falls Girl Scouts, the Hoosick Area Youth Center and several others will be selling food and beverages throughout the day in Wood Park. The Hoosick Falls Junior Scouts are organizing a bottle and can collection to keep the park neat.
The Rensselaer County Dairy Princess and the Bennington County K-9 unit will be on hand as well.
Music And Entertainment
Throughout the day the gazebo in Wood Park will feature music and entertainment, sponsored by Bob’s Auto Parts, Opal Photography, Pizza Bella, Haskins Fuel, New Directions Consulting and Ken Facin. The Village Twirlettes will put on a baton twirling exhibition, local teens will lead group dancing and the Tonebenders Duo will close out the day with some classic rock. Lawn chairs and blankets are suggested for seating.
The Pumpkin Pie Eating Contest will be held in front of the gazebo at 11 am, sponsored by Ken Facin. At noon, the HAYC3 Youth Recognition Ceremony will be held to recognize outstanding youth leaders in our community.
Punkin’ Chunkin’ And Chili
Hop on the free wagon ride provided by the Granger Family and head down to the Town Athletics Fields (just off Main Street by the skating rink and Town pool) for the area’s only annual Punkin’ Chunkin’ competition, sponsored by Big Moose Deli and Thorpe’s Pharmacy. This thrilling exposition of manmade machines will begin at 9 am on Saturday. Teams will use non-motorized pumpkin hurling machines to hit targets located up to 250 feet away. Spectators are welcome, and there is no admission fee to watch.
During and after the Chunkin’ event, several activities will take place at the Athletic Fields, including Laser Tag by Grin Mobile (10 am to 4 pm) and a K-9 Unit Demonstration from 12 to 1 pm. Laser tag is sponsored by TJ Memorials and RGI Insurance. Weezie’s Weiners and Bianca’s Pizza will be selling food at this location.
The Second Annual Pumpkinpalooza Chili Cook-off takes place in the tent at the Athletic Fields from 12 to 2 pm. For a small admission fee, anyone is welcome to sample all the chili entries and cast their vote for the “People’s Choice” award. A panel of judges will select the winner of the $100 cash prize. This event is sponsored by Stewart’s Shops, Contessa Racing, Mahar Funeral Home and Sternberg & Gorman, LLP. To enter the cook-off, call 518-686-9050.
Harvest Moon Dinner
Saturday closes with the Harvest Moon Dinner Dance at the Hoosick Area Youth Center. This adult-only event is sponsored by Thorpe’s Pharmacy, Glens Falls Hospital/Family Health Centers and the Hoosick Falls Health Center. Elegant harvest-inspired fare created by Classé Catering will be featured and “Mixed Company,” a six-piece dance band, is back by popular demand! The band is sponsored by Contessa Racing, Trustco Bank and the Hoosick Federal Credit Union. Live and silent auction items will be available for bidding. Call 686-9050 for additional details and reservations.
Cycling Ride
To close out this celebration of fall, a non-competitive, self-guided cycling ride through the Hoosick hills will take place on Sunday, September 26. Route information will be distributed in Wood Park at noon.
Volunteers
Volunteer support is always welcome. If possible, please make a donation of your time. If you are interested in showing your support for this event, please call the Hoosick Area Youth Center & Community Coalition (HAYC3) at 518-686-9050 or email contact@hoosickyouth.org. Pumpkinpalooza is a pride and tradition initiative of HAYC3. For more information, visit www.hoosickyouth.org.