Save the date for Wassaic’s annual Community Day Parade

WASSAIC — The Wassaic Project will kick off its summer programming with its third annual Community Day Parade and Block Party on Saturday, June 4, at 2 p.m.

The community gathering will begin at Luther Barn, 17 Furnace Bank Road, where the public is invited to participate in making family-friendly costumes for the parade, which will start at 4 p.m.

What Cheer? Brigade, a brass band from Rhode Island, will lead the parade, which will feature firetrucks from local towns.

The day also includes fun activities such as bouncy castles for youngsters, an annual Cake Walk and culminates with a benefit dinner (costs $10 and starts at 5 p.m.) and live music (costs $5 and starts at 6 p.m.) at the Lantern Inn at 10 Main Street.

“We hope people join us — the day is super fun,” said Wassaic Project Co-executive Director Jeff Barnett-Winsby, adding events such as this one help create a sense of community unity as it has a fundraising component.

All proceeds from Community Day will go toward “The Whale” — The Wassaic Project’s and Wassaic Fire Company’s memorial scholarship in honor of the late Wassaic firefighter Jason Whaley.

The scholarship helps provides funding for  Webutuck and Dover graduating students who seek to pursue higher education and/or vocational opportunities.

Last year’s scholarship was a success, Barnett-Winsby said.

“We raised $3,500, and the amount was matched by Silo Ridge.”

Four Webutuck and two Dover students will benefit from six $1,250 scholarships.

“We want our youth to feel vested on,” the co-executive director added.

For more information on the organization or to make a contribution, go to www.wassaicproject.org.

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