For 15 years now, Westchester County's Peekskillhas been holding its annual Peekskill Celebration to bring the community together, have some fun, encourage local businesses and raise awareness of causes close to our hearts. This year, the Peekskill Celebration 2011 will be held August 5th and 6th and has been expanded from its original Riverfront Green Park to include Peekskill Landing, located on the park's north side. That will allow for even more fun.
Included in the festivities will be food, an arts and crafts show, parade of boats from the Peekskill Yacht Club, a Run/Walk, underground railroad tours, youth basketball clinic, classic car and motorcycle show, kids craft tent, live entertainment on the main stage and fireworks. More than 100 local vendors, artisans and community groups will also be on hand to showcase their talents and promote community involvement.
On Saturday, August, 6th, the Dragon Boat Races will be held on the river. Each boat is decorated with dragon heads and tails and operated by a team of 20 paddlers, a drummer and a steer person. Each 41 foot long boat races against other teams in a heat comprised of 4-6 boats for 500 meters. The popular Dragon Boat Races have always been held to help raise awareness of cancer by honoring those effected by cancer, including honoring those that have passed away and those who have beaten the cancer "dragon". During the extremely touching Rose Ceremony, paddlers will raise their roses up and throw them out onto the Hudson River.
Putting on a celebration of this magnitude requires months of planning and organizing to make it happen. All proceeds from the event go to funding the next year's event, with any surplus being reinvested into improvements. If you wish to be a sponsor, please contact the Peekskill Celebration at 914-736-2000. Volunteers are always welcome to man the information booths, sell raffle tickets, organize the teams for the Dragon Boat Races and general work. Please click here to download a copy of the volunteer application. If you have a team interested in joining in with the Dragon Boat Races, please click here to sign up. If you want to paddle but don't have a team, you can join an existing one.
If you're in the area on the weekend of August 5-6, 2011, come to the Peekskill Celebration 2011. It's lots of fun and you'll have a fantastic time.
Barbara Bodnar, Your Westchester, Putnam and Dutchess County New York Real Estate Resource
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