by Bea Peterson
Hats off to the Hoosick Area Youth Center & Community Coalition (HAYC3) and all the many volunteers who made the Pumpkinpalooza weekend such a big success. Ideal weather certainly helped. Both Wood Park and the Athletic Field were filled with folks participating or watching and enjoying activities.
Events began Friday evening with the Kick-off Concert in Wood Park featuring Buck2Fifty. The music was great and so was the fish fry available nearby.
Saturday began with a 5k road race starting on Main St. First over the finish line was George VanHook. The first female over the line was Brittany Pine. Most cheered was the last place finisher, 83 year old Regina from Amsterdam. The race was followed by a Youth Fun Run.
Punkin’ Chunkin’
At the Athletic Field crowds watched as five teams competed in the Punkin’ Chunkin’. Four of the machines were trebuchet devices with slings, catapults of sorts. The fifth machine was Dave Sutton’s giant sling shot, referred to as a sling shot on steroids. Last year Sutton’s machine did poorly, merely spitting the pumpkins from the sling and letting them fall right in front of the device. This year those pumpkins sailed! They sailed past the targets and off the end of the field into the road! Ric Ferrannini said that last year it was hard to hit the targets but this year the machines were tweaked and were very accurate. This year, adding to the drama, said Ferrannini, was a mystery target. If a team was behind and wanted to earn 700 points, they could call for the mystery target. At the last shot Pat Bakaitis’ M1 tank type machine was ahead of the second place team by 500 points. That team, the HFCS Grape Shot, called for the mystery target. Mr. Pumpkin, a scarecrow sitting in a chair was placed out on the field. The team was not allowed to measure the distance. The crowd waited – the pumpkin was launched – and landed right in the belly of the target! A one in a million shot! Thus, Bakaitis, last year’s champion had to turn the golden pumpkin trophy over to the HFCS Grape Shot team. The teams are already gearing up for next year.
There was a pancake breakfast at the field, followed by a chili cook-off. Judges Choice winner was Dean Foster. The Crowd Favorite was Chester Campbell. Laser tag was a big hit with the boys. Lots of food was available as well.
Many people took advantage of the tractor and hay wagon to ride from the Athletic Field to Wood Park. At the Park there were vendors, food and plenty of games and fun for the kids. The winner of the largest pumpkin contest was George Bugbee. His pumpkin was 59 inches around.
Recognition Awards
During the afternoon Aelish Nealon and Jason Jensen presented Hoosick Area Youth Center Recognition Awards to youngsters involved with community service throughout the year.
Those recognized were Kendra Andrew, Brooke Bakaitis, Matty Blair, Kira Bisson, Corey Bornt, Stephany Bradley, Katrina Bernard, Samantha Brewer, Anna Brewer, Sarah Burdge, Lauren Conte, Brittany Danforth, Dustin Ely, Ayla Fauler, Alyssa Forbes, Lexie Gates, Katy Gardner, Ayal Graney, Karli Granger, Lauren Harrison, Emily Kalenian, Nora Kipp, Collin MacDonald, Faye MacDonald, Amanda Middleton, Olivia O’Connell, Mary Peters, Rosabell Plusch, Anna Restino, Jake Restino, Amelia Reynolds, Nicole St. Onge, Taylor Schnoop, Stephanie Stowell, Sydney Stowell, Khloe Thomas, Demitri Tracy, Luis Weierbach, Matthew Wilt. Several were not able to receive their award because they were busy working other Pumpkinpalooza events.
The day ended with the sold out Harvest Moon Dinner at the Youth Center. The setting was gorgeous, the food delicious and the music great.
Sunday at noon about a dozen cyclists took the self-guided ride through the town.
The hard working crew will take a brief well deserved rest then start on plans for the Third Annual Pumpkinpalooza scheduled for September 23 to 25, 2011.
