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| May 05, 2024 |
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General News: Scenes from the 4th of July in Cornwall
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| Volunteer Bill Weber oversaw the beverage concession. |
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| The folks from the Cornwall Historical Society were ready for action shortly after 9 am. |
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| The final three contestants in one of the hula-hoop contests. |
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| Julie Alva, center, won the pie-eating contest among 7- and 8-year-olds. |
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| Boy scouts from Troop 206: Doug Indzonka, Vincent Southwell, Jerry Sarubbe, Tyler Kolfrat and Neal Chaudry. |
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| The Lions Club members were busy steaming and wrapping lobsters for much of the day. |
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| Some of the patriotic drawings on display on the fairgrounds. |
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| Aisling Cuffe crosses the finish line in the Main Street Mile. |
July 05, 2011
The fairgrounds on the 4th of July are a gathering place for Cornwall residents, especially the young children who look forward to the festivities each year. The Independence Day party is put on by a committee of some 30 volunteers who accept varying levels of responsibility, from overseeing the vendors to selling t-shirts. It costs more than $35,000 to run the event, the fireworks eating up the largest chunk of funds, and businesses and individuals donate to make it happen each year. Once again, Brendan Coyne, now the Mayor of Cornwall-on-Hudson, served as the committee's chairperson.
Business owners like Karen Kaiser Sharp, who owns a children’s clothing store and photography studio on Main Street, is typical of the volunteers. She was having a good time running the hoola hoop contest, getting the spinners to perform more difficult stunts until one emerged as the winner.
Pie-Eating Contest
The pie-eating contest provided another big draw for the young people with an appetite. With hands behind the back, contestants had to put their faces right into the small pie plates in order to gobble up the goodness inside.
Children could also enjoy seeing their artwork on display on a multi-panel exhibit of drawings that celebrate the 4th of July.
Food & Rest Before the Parade
There was plenty to eat and drink on the fairgrounds, or you could take away some of the steamed lobsters being sold by the Lion’s Club. One tasty treat was offered by members of Boy Scout Troop 206, who baked chocolate chip cookies In cardboard box ovens that were heated with charcoal. Diane Kolfrat, a mother of one of the scouts, explained that each piece of charcoal generates 25 degrees, making it possible to control the oven temperature by completing some simple math (350 degrees equals 14 pieces of charcoal.)Many people ate picnic lunches they had brought with them and spread out on blankets for a quick nap before the parade and fireworks later in the day.
Cuffe Wins Women’s Main Street Mile
A final highlight of the daylight hours was the Main Street Mile race, where a crowd gathered to cheer their favorites. Knox Robinson game in first with a time of 4:30 in the men’s race. Hometown favorite Aisling Cuffe easily won the girl’s race with a time of 4:41, crossing the finish line then being whisked off in a car to the head of the parade, where she would serve as Grand Marshal in recognition of her accomplishments as a runner.
Comments:
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I grew up in Cornwall, return there every year as one of the musicians entertaining folks on the 4th. At the end of the evening we decided to grab a bite to eat before we made our way north thru the traffic. We walked past some of the OPEN food stalls and settled on the Greek vendor, also still open for business. Then a variety of police types started sweeping the parking lot of crowds of kids, then adults. Abruptly and rudely. We asked one officer if it was too late to order. He said "Go ahead, but we would like to get this place cleared in about ten minutes" So we turned to order and a different cop told us to leave. My wife started to talk to the guy and he gave us till the count of three to leave! Now I understand the need to control a crowd and clear an area to get it cleaned up, but this all was done in an unorganized and rude manner. I suggest closing the vendors, making an announcement, and then treating the people with respect.
Walter Earl
posted by Walter Earl on 07/05/11 at 6:00 PM
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