A day to celebrate all things Greenville

0
Share

By Melanie Lekocevic

Capital Region Independent Media

Kids take a spin on one of the carnival rides during Greenville Day. Melanie Lekocevic/Capital Region Independent Media

GREENVILLE — What started as a small event at Veterans’ Park 16 years ago has blossomed into a two-day celebration of all things Greenville with thousands of visitors.

Greenville Day, held Sept. 23 and 24 in George V. Vanderbilt Town Park, brought out several thousand visitors for a day of free carnival rides, games, food, a business expo and more.

The event is organized each year by Community Partners of Greenville and the town of Greenville, with donations from local businesses and individuals. It has grown exponentially over the years.

“Last year, between the two days of the event, we had about 3,000 people,” said Bill Von Atzingen, president of Community Partners of Greenville. “Hopefully, Greenville Day brings in people from other places to see Greenville and they will say what a beautiful town we have and enjoy being here.”

Greenville Day started out small 16 years ago.

“We originally started holding Greenville Day in Veterans’ Park,” Von Atzingen said. “Our first year it was a food event and it was very small — we had a chili contest and local vendors. And then we decided to go big or go home. This is our 12th year here in Vanderbilt Park.”

Go big, indeed — these days, thousands of people turn out for the event. And they come from far beyond Greenville.

“It’s a great weekend. I asked some of the kids where they are from and I’ve talked to kids from Catskill, from Cairo, from Coxsackie, New Baltimore, East Durham – they come from all over,” Town Supervisor Paul Macko said.

Macko did his annual stint at the park’s concession stand, handing out free hot dogs, beverages and candy to all comers.

“If people want to leave a donation they can, but it’s not required,” Macko said.

In addition to thousands of visitors, this year’s festivities also hosted more vendors of all kinds than ever before.

“It has been really supported by the community and by businesses,” event organizer and Town Councilman Richard Bear said. “We want everybody to enjoy it. We have 70 vendors here this weekend.”

Greenville Day was held at Vanderbilt Town Park and gave kids the chance to check out some free carnival rides. Melanie Lekocevic/Capital Region Independent Media

Greenville Day is also a way to celebrate one of the town’s key resources, Vanderbilt Town Park, which is marking a major milestone this year.

“This is the 30th anniversary of Vanderbilt Park,” Von Atzingen said. “Our demographic [for Greenville Day] is elementary school aged kids and we think that if we bring in kids and their parents see the park, they will see that we have soccer fields, baseball fields, playgrounds, there are hiking and biking trails. You can bring the whole family here.”

Events like Greenville Day are a way to promote the park for year-round use, he added.

Families lined up during the event for free carnival rides and other activities.

“It’s a lot of fun,” said Sierra Johnson, of Catskill. “I especially like all the rides.”

Families traveled to Greenville Day from all over Greene County and beyond for a day of fun and festivities. Melanie Lekocevic/Capital Region Independent Media

Other activities offered throughout the weekend included the townwide yard sales, a book sale at the library, pony rides and a music talent contest, along with live musical performances.

Related Posts