By Marlene McTigue
Capital Region Independent Media
RAVENA—The village of Ravena, the town of Coeymans, and numerous local businesses will come together on Saturday, Aug. 24, to host the annual Friendship Festival at Mosher Park.
The festival, which began in 1983 as a collaboration between the town and village, experienced a split after a few years, with village officials and volunteers taking over the event. However, this year marks a renewed partnership between the village and town, working together to organize the festival once again.
“I think the collaboration between the village and town is excellent it is exactly what my grandfather Frank Nunziato envisioned back in 1983 when he began the Friendship Festival,” Mayor Bill Misuraca said.
Village Trustee Caitlin Appleby, along with a dedicated group of volunteers, is leading the efforts for this year’s festival. Appleby expressed her excitement about the event’s progress, saying, “This year’s festival is turning out to be one of the biggest we’ve ever had.”
The festival will feature over 70 vendors, including 15 food vendors, more than 10 free kids’ activities, a watermelon-eating contest, and a dunk tank sponsored by the RCS Community Business Association, with proceeds going to the Ravena Innovation Station.
Live music will be provided by Dusk Til Dawn, the Musicats Quartet courtesy of the RCS Community Library, and J.A.N.E, with DJ services by Break a Legg Entertainment.
The festivities will kick off with a parade organized by the Ravena Fire Department, with step-off at 12:30 p.m. from Pieter B. Coeymans Elementary School. The parade will proceed up Main Street, turn onto Pulver Avenue, and continue to Mosher Park, where the festival begins at 1 p.m. and will run until dark.
Appleby encourages everyone to stay until the evening for the impressive fireworks show, scheduled for 9 p.m., and put on by Young Explosives.
Town Supervisor Stephen Donnelly expressed the town’s enthusiasm about the event, saying, “The town of Coeymans is very happy to come together with the village of Ravena for the annual Friendship Festival. We are excited to celebrate our community bond with a dynamic blend of music, food and activities that showcase our shared heritage and community spirit.”
Appleby also emphasized the importance of community support in making the festival possible.
“We’d like to extend a warm thank you to all the businesses and organizations that donated their time or resources to make this festival a reality,” Appleby said. “Without them, we could not make this magic happen.”
Donors to this year’s festival include Holcim, Barton & LoGuidice, Gallagher & Co., Crawford Engineering, Carver Companies, Golub Corporations, National Bank of Coxsackie, State Telephone Co., Bullock Utilities, Stolz Agency, Albright’s, Nolan Bottle Gas Co., Biscone, Apalachee Salt and Halfway House Tavern.
Sponsors include Ravena Coeymans Selkirk Community Business Association, Collins & Son, Inc., Rail to River Brewing, the RCS Community Library and Ravena Shop ‘n’ Save
Musical performances will run for much of the afternoon and evening, with J.A.N.E. performing from 4-4:30 p.m., the Musicats Quartet from 5-6 p.m., and Duk ‘Til Dawn from 6:30-8:30 p.m.
And don’t forget to bring your appetite! This year’s festival will feature a variety of food vendors, including: Sweet Treat Cotton Candy, Pura Vida Kettle Corn, MER Snacks, Inc., Lemon Love, Fried Dough at Its Best, Tony’s Concessions, Vasto Vending/Anna’s Pizza Fritta, Backyard Wood Fired Pizza & Catering, Taj Fine Indian Cuisine, Dilly Dilly Donuts Upstate NY, Smokin’ Pig Deli and Bakery, Roy’s Caribbean Jerk Center, Halfway House Tavern, Hawaiian Shaved Ice and Lemonade and Mr. Ding-A-Ling.
Be sure to set up your chairs along Main Street by 12:30 p.m. to catch the parade and plan to stay for the entire day. With plenty of activities, performances and food, the 2024 Friendship Festival promises to be an event to remember.
