by Bea Peterson
Events started early and ran throughout Saturday, February 2, for the second annual Hoosipalooza. Billed as a one day event with one cause supported by one community, it lived up to expectations; well, almost all. Some events were cancelled – no snow, no ice. Otherwise, it was difficult to decide what event to attend as many ran at the same time. [private]There was plenty of musical entertainment, fun activities, mind challenges and food available all day. Besides involving the community, the event benefitted the Food Closet. Estimates so far indicate that the well organized day, sponsored by HAYC3, raised at least as much money as was raised last year.
The day began with free coffee at Bagels and Brew, followed by stories for children at the Cheney Library and guided meditation at the Armory. Thorpe’s Pharmacy offered free owl masks, and there was a violin concert at St. Mark’s Church. There was an open house reception at the John Street Gallery and at the Miller Museum. The HFCS Jazz Band and the Stardusters performed at the Armory. There was free hot chocolate and marshmallows for roasting outside the Immaculate Conception Church, a pancake meal put on by the Girl Scouts at St. Mark’s Church and warm comfort desserts from the Hoosick Falls Community Alliance Church available at the Armory.
On display at the Armory was an array of beautiful quilts made by Sue Hale. There was also face painting, scrapbooking, baton lessons and a nutritional program for healthy weight loss. There was plenty of fun throughout the day.
The highlight, of course, was the bed race on Main Street. Temperatures in the high 20s helped warm the enthusiastic crowd that cheered for its favorite team.
Once again this year the Hoosick Falls Kiwanis Club was the first across the finish line. In second place, and the funniest, was the Sleeping Beauty bed from the Immaculate Conception Church. The Disqualification Award was presented to the Mountain View Way team – their bed was motorized. The Most Creative Award was presented to the Hoosick Falls Elementary School Teachers. Trophies and medals were awarded to the participants.
Already people are talking about what they will do for Hoosipalooza next year!
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