Over 1300 people embraced the start of fall and the Hudson River Valley Ramble at Jay Day! They walked there and biked there! Some brought their dogs. Others spread out plaid picnic blankets and enjoyed a cappella singing from The Yale Spizzwinks(?). Everyone was treated to free sips of Drink Virgil’s Zero Sugar All-Natural beverages! More than 400 families had their choice of savory bites from food trucks like Melt-Mobile, Jimmy’s Soft Serve , Scarborough Fair Catering / SF Express , ABC Cakes , the Waffle Box and Burger Truck NY. Unique activities included hand-scissored portraits from Sweet-Silhouette by Varin brilliantly executed at the 1838 Mansion with the countenances of many Jay Family descendants looking down from the walls. A photo booth set up by Kim Crichlow Photography captured even more memories in an instant complete with themed borders.
Strolling along “Jay Way,” guests helped themselves to free Winston Churchill daffodil bulbs, pow-erful comic books, cool shades and an invitation to a free talk by renowned entomologist Doug Tallamy – all distributed at the Con Edison booth. Even the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Division 5 NYC came out to represent at this all American festival! Large and small strolled the grounds of this majestic national landmark including State Senator Shelley Mayer who came to thank the organizers for giving back to the community. Parents, grandparents and caregivers shopped for maps or engravings at Circle 7 or Wildlife with Watercolors‘ notecards. Some sampled historically inspired Huguenot’s Cider from Diner Brew or tasted milk from Starlight Dairy. Others watched small feet dance in an iridescent shower of bubbles provided by the Bubble Bus down at the Carriage House. Music played by students at Bach to Rock rivaled the most professional band and kept the mood swinging. There were activities for all ages, especially young readers. One young man celebrated his birthday by meeting his favorite author, Tracey West of Scholastic ‘s Dragon Masters series – she gave him the most memorable gift ever and autographed all 11 of her chapter books for him!
Immense thanks to our Jay Day Chair, Tracy Edwards and her indefatigable family and the Jay Day Volunteer Committee: Betsy White, Caroline Wallach, Annmarie Zell, Kelly Bakshi, Megan Monaghan and Liz Garrett; to John Bello and Lindsay Bello Martin and Reed’s Inc. for donating beverages; to Con Edison for donating logoed sunglasses and comic books, our school and adult volunteers especially Jeff De Toro, Shawn Parker, Tom Carlson, Marisol Thurman, Lori Micale, Margot Clark-Junkins, Donna Providenti, Carol Novick, Eileen Karn, the Holtman Family, Katie Lipman, Jackson Swiader, the Chapman Family, Rye Neck High School and the Milton Girl Scouts. We couldn’t do it without Bruce MacDonald, Eugene Boesch, Richie Castellano and all of Rye DPW, our very own JHC Staff and all of the families who support us! See more photos on our Facebook page!
What did you enjoy most about Jay Day?!!!? More photos and shout outs to come!
Photos by Cutty McGill/ Jay Heritage Center
