Millerton News Street Fair: A community celebration

‘Does this happen every weekend?” It was a question from an out-of-towner who was visiting the Millerton Street Fair held on Saturday, June 28.

“This is like Norman Rockwell’s world,” said another who stopped at The Millerton News booth on the lawn in front of the Millerton Inn.

The News, in partnership with The Millerton Business Alliance and the North East Community Center, kicked off summer in Millerton with a fact-and-fun filled day of activities, food and entertainment for young and old.

The spotlight was on community and the event was blessed with sunny weather following weeksof rainy Saturdays.One visitor walking down Main Street was overheard exclaiming to her friends that “this is small town America.” What this visitor was seeing is the product of years of hard work by volunteers, nonprofits and elected officials to nurture the spirit of Millerton, showing off what they love about their town.

There was a definite sense of resemblance to the depictions of American culture created by Norman Rockwell. In front of the Methodist Church, where a brass band played, two children — a boy and a girl — were absorbed in sword play with balloon tubes just made for them by Bee Bee the Clown.

At the volunteer Millerton Fire Department on Century Boulevard, an inflated slide inside the fire house drew toddlers and watchful parents. Across the street there was a ‘touch a truck’ event held by the North East Fire District. District Chair Dave McGhee was on hand, along with Kelly Roger, treasurer and a fire police captain of the Millerton Fire Department. Roger had pulled together the fire department’s food court, which served hot dogs, hamburgers and home-made french fries along with drinks and cold treats. Families parked on picnic tables outside the firehouse, watching the stream of fairgoers pushing strollers along the boulevard. Every few minutes, the blast of a fire truck siren punctuated the scene, a sign that ‘touch a truck’ was still happening.

An engineering study recently reported that Century Boulevard could accommodate more than 150 parked cars with perpendicular parking. On Saturday, it was full house of cars with license plates from New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Katie Cariello, food programs coordinator at NECC which manages the farmer’s market, had counted 471 visitors to the market by 1:15 p.m. on Saturday.

There was something for everyone. Nonprofit organizations showcased their work at tables on the lawn along Main Street and Dutchess Avenue.

They included, besides The Millerton News, the NECC and the Millerton Business Alliance:

Townscape

Climate Smart Millerton

North East Historical Society

The Moviehouse

Village of Millerton Eddie Collins Memorial Park

Village of Millerton 175th Celebration Committee

Webutuck Elementary School

Harlem Valley Rail Trail Association

NorthEast-Millerton Library

Millerton Fire Company

Webutuck PTA

Irondale Schoolhouse

TriCorner FEED

Businesses also exuded small town charm, including Bes, Little Red Bird Studio, NBT Bank, The Elephant’s Tusk along with others. Millerton Wine & Spirits held an impromptu wine tasting. Candy-O’s ice cream cones were another sweet sign of summertime fun.

The Millerton Street Fair was a fitting tribute to Millerton’s hometown spirit. It celebrated the community and the many nonprofits that have helped make the community a better place to live. The many dedicated volunteers who give their time and energy were able to meet to talk about their work with townspeople — not via email or press release, but face to face.

“Let’s do it again,” was a comment heard more than once by the volunteers who made the Millerton Street Fair a success.