Sullivan reaches out for bicentennial

Season of happenings planned

By FRITZ MAYER

FERNDALE, NY — “If you’re a kid who wants to open a bicentennial lemonade stand in Long Eddy, that’s okay.” Those words were from Glenn Pontier as he spoke to a group of about 40 residents who attended a forum at the CVI Building in Ferndale on December 3.

On March 27, 2009, Sullivan County turns 200 years old, and county officials and boosters are looking to mark the anniversary with celebrations and events that span the summer and run to the end of September, and reach every corner of the county from Summitville to Roscoe.

The season will also mark a few other important milestones, such as the 40th anniversary of the Woodstock Festival on the grounds of what is now Bethel Woods Center for the Arts. The towns of Rockland and Bethel will also turn 200 in 2009.

Alexis Eggleton, legislative aid for the Sullivan County legislature, told the group that the Bicentennial Committee is planning at least 76 events throughout the county next year. Major annual events that already exist, such as RiverFest in Narrowsburg and The Trout Parade in Livingston Manor, will tie into the event with bicentennial themes. But many others, such as a re-enactment of the signing of the county charter, will be created specifically for the year. There will also be two books published related to the event.

Among the other events planned is a Chalkwalk Festival in Jeffersonville, where local artists will make art on the streets of the village; a summertime jazz concert on Luxton Lake in Tusten; and the county Fireman’s Association’s and Bicentennial Parade in Wurtsboro.

The goal of the events is to offer county residents the opportunity to celebrate the county’s heritage and unique history. But just as importantly, this is also an opportunity to encourage former residents and guests to come back to the county, and to entice new visitors to come and discover the diverse beauty and natural resources of the county for the first time.

The county has pledged $75,000 to help pay for the celebrations, which will be heavily promoted and will have a large presence in the 2009 Sullivan County Travel Guide.

At the forum, Pontier, the program director with Sullivan Renaissance, said that many of the details remain to be worked out. He said organizers, for instance, were looking for a way to spice up the re-enactment of the signing of the charter scheduled for March 29 at the government center in Monticello. “What if we could get 1000 people to sign the document in period dress?” he asked.

The committee is looking for input and volunteer help from members of the community. To find out more, contact Eggleton at alexis.eggleton@scgnet.us or call 845/794-3000, ext. 3305.