More than 1,300 children rushed to pick pumpkins, eat apples, drink apple cider, select chocolate and toys, choose library bookmarks and fill bags with the chamber’s pretzels, candy and gift items at Pumpkinfest at the Pine Island Park. (
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One child managed to guess the weight of the pumpkin donated by Leonard DeBuck.
The Headless Horseman (actually Leora Dillion) galloped through the park to the delight of all.
The sound of laughter from delighted children filled Pine Island Park at Pumpkinfest, Pine Island Chamber of Commerce’s annual Columbus Day event.
More than 1,300 children rushed to pick pumpkins, eat apples, drink apple cider, select chocolate and toys, choose library bookmarks and fill bags with the chamber’s pretzels, candy and gift items.
Many thanks to John and Paul Ruszkiewicz for 1,600 pumpkins, Masker Orchard’s for bags of apples and jugs of apple cider, Tuney and Jim Leshinski for toys and chocolate, and Albert Wisner Public Library for bookmarks.
Music filled the air as D’Antono dancers and the Greenwood Lake Rock Underground entertained.
Hungry visitors enjoyed food from Dairy ‘O Ice Cream, Pitchfork Barbeque and Biscuits, Daisy Crumm Cupcakes and Baby Dahl.
Children ran from activity to activity under the watchful help and guidance of chamber members, friends and students. Volunteers used henna donated by Saima Ajmal of Warwick Henna and Nancy DeAngelo to artfully decorate children’s hands and children gloried in getting their faces painted as well.
Many youngsters enjoyed painting rocks donated by Mulch Right.
Youngsters climbed the National Guard’s rock wall, met Trooper Jason and petted K9 Rickie.
Children climbed on tractors and displayed their artistic talents painting pumpkins.
Local organizations and individuals offered so much for kids to see and do. The Warwick Historical Society, ShopRite, Orange County Sports Club, Agrisculpture, 4H, FFA, the Sheriff’s Office, Karate Quest Dojo and Go for it Kickboxing, St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, Warwick Valley Community Center, the Pine Island Fire Department, Pine Island Ambulance and Orange County Dairy Princess offered children a huge choice of activities.
The Headless Horseman (actually Leora Dillion) galloped through the park to the delight of all, and one child managed to guess the weight of the pumpkin donated by Leonard DeBuck.
Jerry Zimmerman
Pine Island Chamber of Commerce