Dover Community Day promises good times

DOVER — Saturday, Sept. 19, is a busy day around the Harlem Valley. Indian Rock Schoolhouse is holding its annual picnic and Community Day in Amenia. Just like its neighbor to the north, the town of Dover is also holding a Community Day on the 19th, from noon until 9 p.m., at Boyce Park in Wingdale.

“This is our second year having it right now, but we’ve had it in the past over many years — 30 or 40 — and it stopped and came back, stopped and came back,” said Dover Recreation Secretary Julie Muncey. “Now we’re trying to continue that.”

The town is making the effort with myriad activities, ranging from a car show to two magic shows to duck races. 

Registration for the car show is at 10 a.m. and trophies will  be awarded at  3:30 p.m. 

There will be a 5K walk and run starting at 10 a.m. and ending at noon. The entry fee is $15 and will go toward the Dover Recreation Scholarship Fund, which provides free summer day camp to those who cannot otherwise afford it. 

There will be a magic show with Mike the Illusionist at 1 p.m., and a show with Bee Bee the Clown at 3:30 p.m. 

Field day events, including sack races, a three-legged race and a spoon-and-egg race will take place from 1 to 2 p.m. At 3 p.m. there will be a minute-to-win-it contest. 

The Schaghticoke Tribal Nation will do a dance and drum circle at 1:30 and at 5:30 p.m. 

The J.H. Ketcham Fire Company will do car extrication demonstrations at 2 and at 4 p.m. 

There will be a pie eating contest at 4:30 p.m. 

Duck races to raise money for the Dover Educational Enrichment Fund (DEEP) will be at 5 p.m. Rubber duckies will be sold throughout the day for $5. 

There will be a bonfire at 6 p.m. with a movie at 7:30 p.m. 

There will be hayrides and bounce houses, as well as live music, throughout the day.

“I think Dover is going to have a lot of fun activities to offer to both children and adults,” said Dover town Supervisor Ryan Courtien. “It really highlights a lot of different positive aspects of our community.”

A number of people helped organize the day, from Muncey to Courtien to Recreation Director Teri Ptasnick to Zoning Administrator and Head Clown Betty-Ann Sherer. Councilwoman Linda French was also involved, as was Town Clerk Katie Palmer-House.

“I think it’s a great event,” said Courtien. “I’m really looking forward to the duck races.”

And the day isn’t just for Dover residents, said the supervisor.

“Everybody should come,” he said. “It’s going to be a fun time for anyone. You don’t have to be from Dover.”

There will even be a chance to submerge Courtien at a dunking booth.

“If anybody wants to put me into the water I’m happy to oblige,” he said with good humor.

Donations will also be accepted at the event for Bonnie Boxes for cancer warriors. The car show, meanwhile, will be a fundraiser for the Center of Compassion food pantry.

For more information on Dover Community Day call Muncey at 845-832-9168. 

Boyce Park is located at 6420 Route 55, Wingdale.