Community Day Is Rooted Deeply In Chappaqua

Community Day in Chappaqua is a day for residents to gather in the downtown area and celebrate their neighbors and surroundings. This tradition dates back for longer than most of its residents can remember, according to Linda Kallner., vice president of the local Rotary Club.

"People have been gathering in downtown Chappaqua in September for as long as most can remember," said Kallner, who chaired the event. "It was at one time, in the beginning, the businesses and realtors were hoping to bring people into the downtown area."

Kallner said before the Rotary Club began sponsoring the event it was organized by a long time resident who would host a pig roast in the downtown area to draw in the crowds.

"Community Day used to be much bigger than it is today," Kallner said. "It used to take up two ball fields and I believe it had bands and dancing as well. The first year the event was sponsored solely by itself was in September of 1984. "

This year's Community Day beneficiary will be the Horace Greeley Scholarship Fund, a local non-profit organization that benefits high school aged children in the community who will be continuing on to college and need financial assistance.

Some of the activities this year will include a crash course obstacle, rip curls, and new this year, a bouncy castle called the Disney World five in one.

"Also new this year, we have a merchants table," she said. "All the merchants are participating and donating. There will be a variety of different booths representing the community that may interest people. The recycling department will be represented, the beautification board, the recreation department, the Chappaqua Girl Scouts will be there, the library, and many more."

Also new this year is the raffling of a grill donated by a local hardware store in town. Two local food merchants have also purchased booths in order to offer Community Day participants a few new samples of the local fare.

"I think it is a real community event and although Chappaqua is a neighbor to a variety of different towns, there is a very special feeling when you gather in your hometown and have the same things in common with your neighbors, and the same goals as a community," Kallner said.

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