It was just 3 p.m. and all of the pumpkin foods were a memory at the Beacon Sloop Club’s 30th Annual Pumpkin Festival. Not one slice of pumpkin pie remained, nor could a piece of pumpkin bread be found. By 3:30, things were looking more grim: virtually all pumpkins, big, medium, and tiny, had been snatched up by lucky recipients. In all, the statistics were staggering: 78 pumpkin pies and 1500 pounds of pumpkins were sold. The statistics were testimony to not only a popular festival, but one of the most scenic locales in the Hudson Valley.
"This was an amazingly successful event today, one of, if not the best ever," said Rosemary Thomas, a Wappingers resident and member of the Beacon Sloop Club. "Everyone had such a great time; there is just so much here to enjoy, and we are so lucky to be a part of it." Thomas, surrounded by a few remaining pumpkins, added, "Seeing how happy everyone was, particularly the children, is what it’s all about."
The over 1000 attendees who took advantage of the gorgeous autumn foliage and bright sunshine were treated to an array of activities, including: pumpkin picking, free rides on the Sloop Woody Gunthrie, a farmers market, vendors selling everything from pumpkin pie to hand made clothing and jewelry to scenic paintings. Music, headlined by area folk legend Pete Seeger, was also available throughout the day. All funds raised went directly to the upkeep of the Woody Gunthrie. In all, about 285 families are members of the non-profit, volunteer environmental education/action and sailing organization, Sloop Club, which also sponsors the annual Earth Day, Strawberry, Corn, and Alternate Energy Festivals. Focusing on Beacon, Fishkill and Newburgh, the Sloop Club’s popularity recently got a big boost when Beacon was highlighted in an article in The New York Times. The read caught the attention of two Manhattan visitors who decided to make the trek to a premiere Hudson Valley hot spot, Beacon, Sunday.
"The pumpkins here are just so cool," said Manhattan resident Patrick Brodfuehrer, who was attending Sunday’s festival with friends from Beacon. "It’s just so nice to be able to walk around in this area; it’s also so ideal because of its closeness to the train station, just an awesome overall area and great people."
Despite the lengths some traveled to get to the Pumpkin Festival, a majority of those in attendance were local, out for a day to appreciate their neighborhood, while relentlessly trying to attain an elusive taste of delicious, local pumpkin pie.
"It’s so great to see all of the community out here and really pulling together to support something special," said Beacon resident Andria Strudler, who, along with her husband, was just finishing up some picture time with her son rollicking with pumpkins. The trio was determined to get some pumpkin pie, despite the post 3p.m. hour.
"We hear the pumpkin pie was really, really good and just have to get a taste of it" smiled an eager Strudler as she took her son Sloan’s hand.
Even if they came up empty-handed on their pumpkin pie quest, the Strudler’s, like most all who attended, likely had a very satisfying and memorable Sunday fall afternoon.
