Community Corner
Festivals, Music, Celebrations and Fireworks Right Here in Town
A list of great summer festivals in our own backyard that you don't want to miss out on.
One of the greatest things about summer is all of the celebrations and festivals you have to look forward to. To help you pack your summer with excitement, here is a list of not-to-miss events that will be taking place in our area. These festivals have got it all: live entertainment, delicious food, raffles, competitions and fireworks. You’ll even find hot air balloon rides amongst the to-dos of these celebrations! So mark your calendars, and get the family ready for some summertime fun.
1. The German American Social Club of Peekskill’s 2011 Annual Germanfest: A Celebration of German Heritage and Culture
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Where/When: 11 Kramers Pond Road, Putnam Valley; Saturday, June 25, 3:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. & Sunday, June 26, 12:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Why go: This two day festival will feature favorite traditional German foods, such as frankfurters, bratwurst, schnitzel. Beer will be flowing and there will be music and dancing for guests to enjoy while they celebrate German culture. The proceeds from the event will go to benefit the German American Social Club of Peekskill.
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Pricing: $10 for ages 13 and older.
Contact info: Call (845) 528-5800 or email GermanAmericanSocialClub@Yahoo.com
2. Festa Italiana Peekskill 2001: A Traditional Italian Street Festival Celebrating the Feast of the Assumption in Historic Downtown Peekskill
Where/When: Downtown Peekskill; Friday, August 12, 5 p.m. – 11 p.m., Saturday, August 13, 12 p.m. – 11 p.m., & Sunday, August 14, 12 p.m. – 9p.m.
Why go: Celebrate Italian-American culture in the heart of downtown Peekskill at this event which is being held to benefit several local charities. There will be over 22 hours of free live outdoor entertainment throughout the festival’s three days. Also for your entertainment there will be street performers present, including stilt walkers, face-painters and balloon makers, on Saturday and Sunday between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. Traditional foods will be served and vendors will offer fun activities like sand art creations and dart games.
Also, if you’ve never experienced Authentic Italian Marionette Theatre, now is your chance. And make sure you get Grandma’s tomato sauce recipe perfected before the festival’s 2nd Annual Tomato Sauce War competition, which will be judged Sunday and followed by a raffle where someone will win a brand new car. For a complete schedule of the festival’s events click here. For details on how to enter the festival’s Tomato Sauce War click here. Please note the deadline for entries to the Tomato Sauce War competition is August 8.
Pricing: Free
Contact info: frank@downtownfestivals.com
3. Peekskill Celebration: The Largest Party in Peekskill
Where/When: Riverfront Green Park, Peekskill; Friday, August 5 – Saturday, August 6
Why go: For 15 years the Peekskill Celebration has been bringing family fun to the city’s beautiful waterfront park. This year the festival, which claims to be the city’s largest, will keep that tradition going with hot air balloon rides, fireworks, and great food. There will also be performances by local entertainers and over 100 vendors present. To help promote cancer awareness the festival’s traditional Dragon Boat Race has been re-named the Drum Hill Senior Living Cancer Awareness Race. This event will feature a commemorative Rose Ceremony before each boat’s team of 20 paddlers, 1 drummer and 1 steersperson take off for the 500m race. For a complete schedule of the festival’s events click here.
Pricing: Free
Contact info: Call 914-736-2000 or email: info@peekskillcelebration.com
4. 5th Annual Peekskill Jazz & Blues Festival: A Free Music Concert & Fair
Where/When: Downtown Peekskill; July 30, 12 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Why go: The Peekskill Jazz & Blues Festival returns to the city for its fifth year. Performers will include the Tommy Castro Band, the Curtis Brothers, Akoya Afrobeat Ensemble, and the Chris Massey Nu Jazz Project. You can look forward to seeing not only great musicians, but also plenty of local vendors offering everything from art to handmade goods. The Peekskill Farmer’s Market on Bank Street will be open for business as well, and downtown restaurants will be featuring special outdoor seating just for this special occasion. For the event’s schedule of performances click here.
Pricing: Free
Contact info: Call (914) 737-2780 or email info@downtownpeekskill.com
5.Our Lady of Mt. Carmel’s 89th Annual Italian Feast: The Longest Running Feast in the Hudson Valley
Where/When: 238 8th Street, Verplanck; Wednesday - Sunday, July 13 -17, 6 p.m. – 12 a.m.
Why go: To celebrate the Feast there will be five fun-filled days of games, rides, food and entertainment. Discounted ride bracelets will be available on Wednesday and Thursday. Sunday will feature a special Italian Mass which will take place at 11:30 a.m. at St. Patrick’s Church on 11th Street. Immediately following the mass all attendees are invited to march in a procession through the streets. The feast will conclude that evening with a huge Fireworks Extravaganza on Sunday at 10:45 p.m. Keep up to date with the festivities via the festival’s Facebook page.
Pricing: Free admission
Contact info: For more information contact Joe at 914-261-1719 or joevike@optonline.net
6. Peekskill 4th of July Parade, Concert and Fireworks: Independence Day Celebrations in Peekskill
Where/When: Fourth of July Parade, Highland Avenue, Peekskill; Monday, July 4, 10 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Fourth of July Concert & Fireworks, Riverfront Green, 50 Hudson Avenue, Peekskill; 7 p.m. - 10:30 p.m.
Why go: Celebrate Independence Day Peekskill style. Grab the family and secure a good spot to view the annual Fourth of July Parade. The parade’s route begins on Highland Avenue, and continues onto Division Street, South Street, Hudson Avenue, and ends at Railroad Avenue. As the sun sets grab some blankets and head down to the Riverfront Green to enjoy a live performance from local favorite, The Bad Habits, who will be performing as part of The Recreation Department’s 2011 Riverfront Concert Series. Please note, in the case of rain this concert will be relocated to the Peekskill Middle School, located at 212 Ringgold Street. You can contact the Recreation hotline at (914) 734-4228 to confirm the event has been moved.
Pricing: Free
Contact info: (914) 737-3400
