In Liberty,
a street fair for all

A grand parade, entertainment, wares and fine food add up to a great July 4

	TRR photo by Richard A. Ross Throngs of people filled Main Street for the tenth annual Liberty Street Fair on July 4. (Click for larger image)

By RICHARD A. ROSS

LIBERTY, NY — When it comes to street fairs, Liberty sets the standard. A panoply of attractions, a classic parade and live entertainment kept things moving as people from far and wide celebrated the tenth annual street fair on July 4.

The day began with a 5K walk and 10K Freedom Day run sponsored by the Catskill Mountain Dianetics Center.

According to Jay Spina, “It was a great turnout and kicked off at 8:45 a.m. The times were very good given the fact that course is quite hilly.”

The race was led by the Wild Hogs and police cars from Liberty and the state police.

As the morning progressed, people began to arrive in record numbers. There was no shortage of things to do, see, buy or eat.

In La Polt Park, people lounged on the grass to enjoy the early morning entertainment provided by Mike Vreeland of Youngsville who delighted the audience with his original tunes. Later in the day, the stage was rocking with the sounds of the Van Twistiks.

Up and down the street, there were scores of vendors. Liberty storeowners set up tables on the street for people to sample their merchandise. JoAnn and Charlie Yaun of the Sunflower Health Food Store offered ice tea and chai while they sold snacks. Passerbys could browse through racks of vintage clothing courtesy of By Irina, eat sausage sandwiches from Cobblers or move among the countless merchants displaying their wares. Bargains included tank tops, jewelry, CD’s, and belts. The Theatre Café had pastries on their table.

Speaking of food, there was barbecued chicken, ribs, hot dogs, and hamburgers and Spanish food from El Jibarito Cuchifrito. Many people took advantage of the air-conditioned comfort of the new Paesano’s pizza parlor for a slice and something cool to drink.

At 12:00 noon, a cannon blast announced the arrival of the parade. A steady line of antique cars, fire engines, veterans, Girl Scouts, stilt walkers and jugglers, tractors, town officials, the Wild Hogs motorcyclists and town ambulances kept the crowd enthralled.

	TRR photo by Richard A. Ross JoAnn Yaun, owner of the Sunflower Health Food Store, chats with a customer at the fair. Charlie Yaun is in the background. (Click for larger image)

Following the parade, the renewed life of the town was a topic of conversation with Bob and Pat Grant, lifelong residents of Liberty.

“The revitalization started with the ALIVE group. Mayor William Smith has worked really hard. Though the town had its hard times, the beauty of the mountains has never left and neither did we.”

Sharon and Tom Meloy echoed those positive thoughts.

The Meloys live in Manhattan and have been coming to their second home in Ferndale since 1986.

“We’ve seen all of the changes and we’re very encouraged by what is happening on Main Street,” they said.

The epicenter of the street fair was in front of the Liberty Fitness Center where WVOS disk jockeys Dave Robinson and Mike Sakell broadcasted live. They courteously donated their mike and sound system to Cindy Fracassi , owner of  the Liberty Fitness Center as she showcased classes and programs based in the gym. These included Main Street Dance students and their teacher Sherma Alexander Williams, jazzercise exhibitions and belly dance by Ahlena. A karate demonstration cueed up interest in karate classes at the gym. Fracassi also announced a street demonstration by Kids Cirque who are fundraising for a trip to Minnesota.

More activities were held late in the day including the Tallulah Plop and Pop raffle held at the Liberty Elementary School.

People also had a chance to meet the artists at the Catskill Artists Gallery and hear a preview of a Weekend of Chamber Music at the Liberty Museum and Arts Center.

The day was capped off by a great fireworks display that lit up the sky over the village.