The 3rd Annual Hoosick Pumpkinpalooza is set for this weekend, September 23-25, 2011. This family-friendly, community building event includes a 5K road race, a chili cook-off, a punkin’ chunkin’ competition, a pet parade, music and dancing, a Harvest Moon Dinner, a cycling ride, basket bingo, games, laser tag, demonstrations and vendors. Don’t miss activities at the Town Athletic Fields and Wood Park and the free wagon rides between the parks. Visit www.hoosickyouth.org for details or call 518-686-9050.
Pumpkinpalooza Pet Parade
The first ever Pumpkinpalooza Pet Parade will be part of this year’s Hoosick Pumpkinpalooza. Owners of any and all pet types are welcome to participate in this fun event for a chance to win one of several pet prizes!
Participants should register at the Hoosick tennis courts on Main Street beginning at 10:30 am on Saturday, September 24. The parade will step off at 11 am and proceed from the courts, down Main Street to Wood Park. Judges will review the entries during the parade and select the winners. An award presentation will take place at the Wood Park Gazebo at 11:30 am. Costumes are encouraged and prizes will be awarded for the funniest, cutest, most original and most pumpkin-y!
Please be sure to only enter pets that are able to interact well with crowds and other animals. All animals must be on leashes or otherwise under their owner’s control. There is no cost to enter.
Pumpkinpalooza Schedule
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 the Village of Hoosick Falls.
Friday Night Kick-Off
The celebration kicks off Friday, September 23, at 7 pm with a concert in Wood Park sponsored by Baker Insurance, Hoosick Federal Credit Union and VPS Control Systems. Enjoy music by The Nellies and tasty treats from Farrara’s Restaurant.
Pancake Breakfast
The Hoosick Falls Girl Scouts are hosting a pancake breakfast at the Town Athletic Fields on Saturday morning, September 24, beginning at 8 am. Pancakes, juice and coffee will be sold under the tent near the skating rink.
5k And Fun Run
Saturday morning, September 24, 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. 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 Mahar Funeral Home will take place. Youngsters under 12 will run along Main Street from Wood Park to the Town Athletic Fields. The first 30 completing the run will receive a ribbon. No pre-registration is required.
Activities 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 activities planned for youth. A bounce house, face painting, mini-manicures, carnival games and a cupcake wheel will all be part of the fun. The games are sponsored by Hoosick True Value, JA Bradley & Sons, Ken Facin and Big Moose Deli. Renee Trombley is donating her services to offer the manicures. Mayor Matt Monahan is organizing a geo-caching activity with the Hoosick Falls Boy Scouts.
Farrara’s Restaurant, St. Mary’s and the Hoosick Area Youth Center will be selling food and beverages throughout the day in Wood Park. 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 Delurey Sales & Service, Pizza Bella, New Directions Consulting, DePaula Chevrolet and TJ Memorials. The Village Twirlettes, the Hoosick Falls Jazz Band, the Hill Country Cloggers and the Tonebenders Duo will perform. Lawn chairs and blankets are suggested for seating. Entertainment will run from 11 am to 4 pm. At 12 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 for the area’s only annual Punkin’ Chunkin’ competition, sponsored by 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. The team that earns the most points wins $250. 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 y DePaula Chevrolet and RGI Insurance. Weezie’s Weiners will be selling food at this location.
The 3rd 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 and Big Moose Deli. To enter the cook-off, call 518-686-9050.
A demonstration of Medieval Combat techniques will be staged at the Athletic Fields from 2 to 3 pm. Basket Bingo will take place under the tent from 2 to 4 pm. Players can participate in all 10 games for $5 (extra cards available).
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 and Glens Falls Hospital/Family Health Centers. Elegant harvest inspired fare with a bayou flair is being created by Classé Catering. Buck2Fifty, a six piece dance band, will perform dance favorites and New Orleans style jazz. The band is sponsored by Contessa Racing. A fabulous collection of donated live and silent auction items will be available for bidding. This event is sold out.
Cycling Ride
To close out this weekend long celebration of fall, a non-competitive, self-guided cycling ride through the Hoosick hills will take place on Sunday, September 25. Route information will be distributed in Wood Park at 12 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 e-mail contact@hoosickyouth.org. Pumpkinpalooza is a pride and tradition initiative of HAYC3. For more information, visit www.hoosickyouth.org.