NORTH CANAAN — A quick turnaround by organizers and volunteers kept Summer Nights of Canaan alive Sunday, July 19, as residents turned out in force for a rescheduled celebration featuring carnival rides, longtime traditions and community favorites.
Heavy rain washed out the original Saturday festivities, but organizers quickly shifted most of the schedule to Sunday, salvaging the carnival, the annual chicken barbecue, bed races and an abbreviated firemen’s parade.
Down at Bunny McGuire Park, the carnival was in full swing. Fun-seekers of all ages twirled around on rides or floated up high on the Ferris wheel. Among them was Michael Kahler, who at 92, insisted he wanted to go for a spin on something. Jason at the Dizzy Dragon welcomed him and his daughter Sharon, and even helped him get in and out of the ride.
When done, Kahler, displaying a wide grin, gave a thumbs-up when asked what he thought of the experience.
“It was a little scary,” said Sharon Kahler after disembarking. “The last time I went on a ride with my father was at least 50 years ago.”
Children and their parents were also out in full force. Brian Famigletti and his son Milo of Canaan enjoyed the swirling teacup ride, while Mollee Alquesta and her son Harry of Torrington were successful at the Spyr-o Mania game of chance, walking away with a stuffed animal.
Over at St. Martin of Tours Church, the line was long as patrons waited for their chicken barbecue meals. While no one was quite sure how long the tradition has been going on, most were sure it has been at least 40 years.
Michael O’Connor was cooking chicken on the grill. The menu also included corn on the cob, roasted potatoes, cole slaw, drinks and ice cream for dessert. The tab was $20, with many taking leftovers home.
Perry Gasperini, who was in charge this year, proudly pointed to the new structure over the grill, which was just built this year. It prevents rain from getting the poultry wet and is situated so the smoke blows away from the diners.
He called the barbecue “a real community event that brings people out and brings them together.” He then joked about Tom Foley and Joe Solan, who were instrumental in running the meal for years. “When I get to heaven and see them, I can say I kept it going,” Gasperini said.
Among those partaking was Marguerite Segalla, 99. A longtime church member, she sold tickets to the barbecue for many years. Looking around at the filled tables brought back many memories, she said.
“People would come from all over for this,” she recalled.
The annual Bed Race, with silly crowd-pleasing antics, followed the parade. Three teams — The Canaan Fire Company, Royal Flush by William Perotti & Sons Heating (with toilet) and Well Drillers — competed in their makeshift beds, bringing great delight to the crowd. Royal Flush was the winner.
Madi Long
Children and families enjoy carnival rides during Summer Nights of Canaan on July 19.
Karina Powers teaches traditional dances from Mexico in Millbrook.
Powers received a master’s degree in Mexican folklore dance from Escuela de la Danza in Baja California, Mexico. Since moving to the United States, she has built a career in performance and teaching. She has not only served as a dance director and performed as a professional vernacular music singer in California, but she has also worked towards her Doctorate, which she will receive in October.
As the founder of her company, Powers works tirelessly to make sure her dancers have everything they need, including costumes, proper flooring, music and a space to practice. Her husband built wooden panels, called tarimas, for students to dance on with their folklórico shoes. Millbrook Mayor Peter F. Doro allows Powers and her group to practice in Millbrook Hall, where she brings the tarimas to every practice along with costumes and proper footwear.
Powers dreams of owning her own studio where she can practice with her group, offer more classes, store costumes and create a space for her dancers to do their hair and makeup before performances. She said she hopes people learn about her classes so her company can grow and she can teach dances from a wider range of Mexican states while having greater access to traditional dress.
As a single mother and professor, Powers’ mother, Carmen Méndez, put her children in dance classes and signed them up for track and field, always keeping them goal- and career-oriented. She helped Powers with her company by creating all of the costumes her dancers wear in their performances. After her mother’s death in 2021, Powers said she has dedicated herself to carrying forward the passion, work ethic and love of dance her mother instilled in her.
“I miss her terribly, and I’m here because of her,” Powers said. “That’s why I want to do this, because of her. She gave me a lot, with the costumes, with her support. I do it for my mom.”
Karina Powers and her students practice in Millbrook Hall.Lucia Iandolo
Dancers in Powers’ group are dedicated to learning the art of dance from different states in Mexico on Tuesday and Friday nights at Millbrook Hall. They travel from many different places in New York to participate, with some dancers traveling more than an hour to make it to rehearsal each week.
“It’s a lot of work, but they learn it. I believe they love it, and it’s a way to come together, to do something good, to do something healthy, and to have people around you who appreciate this kind of art,“ Powers said.
Powers has studied with professor Eloy Jiménez Figueroa since childhood and said his mentorship inspired her to become the teacher she is today. She added that while she may not be the best teacher, she learned from the best.
While living in California, Powers taught elementary, high school and college students, as well as adults. She was recruited to teach traditional Mexican folkloric dance because of the region’s large Mexican community. Today, she encourages people of all backgrounds to explore the rich traditions of Mexican dance.
“This type of dance is not only for people from Mexico,” Powers said. “This is an art and the arts unite nations.”
Powers hopes to continue sharing that art in Millbrook and one day teach in the Millbrook Central School District. Powers and her group will perform at the Millbrook Library on Nov. 21, presenting traditional Mexican dances and inviting audience members to participate.
As a professor, dancer and singer, Powers stays grounded by believing in something greater than herself. She says that praying and putting herself in the hands of God has helped anchor her. She hopes to teach and dance for as long as her body allows.
“My mom, for me, is an angel. I put myself in her hands, and I have faith,” Powers said. “I have faith that God, or something good, is going to be there for the group and for myself.”
Want more of our stories on Google? Click here to make us a Preferred Source.
