by Bea Peterson
“Pumpkinpalooza is our major fundraiser,” said HAYC3 Creative Director and Outreach Coordinator Deb Alter. “It’s so important to us to keep our good programs going.” She added that, with whatever they offer, “we never turn a kid away (for financial reasons). It’s part of our fifty plus year tradition.” [private]The HAYC3 goal is to offer sustainable programs to the community at affordable rates. “We try to be mindful of what is going on in the community and be helpful of the needs; and there are many needs. Plus, there is more and more we would like to do.”
No Membership
HAYC3 has done away with its membership program. “There are no memberships,” said Alter, “because everyone in the community is a member. It’s a community partnership.”
Fifth Pumpkinpalooza
Pumpkinpalooza looks to be a fabulous day that will involve the whole community. There are events for young and old and every fun and fitness level.
The day begins at 8 am with a Girl Scout pancake breakfast at Immaculate Conception Church hall, followed by a free Yoga workout for participants in the 9 am Rolf Max Sternberg 5k Road Race for Vibrant Communities.
Punkin’ Chunkin’ begins at the Town of Hoosick Athletic Field at 10. In Wood Park there will be Geocaching, music and dance, family Yoga, the Twirlettes, the HFCS Jazz Band, a Pet Parade and much more.
Back at the Athletic Field there will be a Chowder Cook Off, demonstrations by Rensselaer County K-9s, plus child safety seat and seatbelt checks and Medieval Combat demonstrations. For a full schedule of activities, check the HAYC3 website.
Harvest Moon Dinner
Pumpkinpalooza Day will conclude with the Fifth Annual Harvest Moon Dinner and Dance. It will begin at 6 pm and, for the first time, will be held in the Armory. According to Deb Alter, the committee set a goal of 150 people attending. This past week they already had 146 people signed up to attend. That’s 50 more people than they could fit in the Youth Center.
The event will conclude with the auction of the owls that have been on display throughout the Village as part of the “Summer of the Owl” program.
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