Wassaic community celebrated with parade and festival

WASSAIC — In 2006–07, investors Tony Zunino and Dick Berry envisioned the hamlet of Wassaic, an old mill town, as a cultural hot spot. They bought Maxon Mills with the intention of investing in the building and in the community. The Wassaic Project was born, now recognized for both its multi-media arts festival and for its art residencies, with about 70 artists passing through the doors this year alone.

The project’s co-directors are Bowie Zunino, Eve Biddle and Jeff Barnett-Winsby. They work cooperatively with the local community and school system to grow programming, educational projects and community involvement.

Saturday, May 20, The Wassaic Project held its May Festival.  Starting with a parade, children, parents and people of all ages made their way down a few short blocks in handmade masks and costumes. They were led by the original 19-piece marching band called, “What, Cheer?”  Next they were followed the Wassaic fire department’s bevy of trucks, including a 1935 fire engine and an attractive tractor.  

Prior to this year, The Wassaic Project has held a three-day event over one long weekend to celebrate the arts. This year, however, organizers decided to bring in more programming for the entire community throughout the whole summer, and to spare the town headaches associated with overnight camping, parking and other safety issues.  

More festivals are planned.  Saturday’s event emphasized visual arts, July’s is all about music and August’s will focus on dance and film.  

A highlight of Saturday’s event was the cakewalk. When people arrived at the parade, they also dropped off cakes that looked as delicious as they did beautiful.  For $5, one could join the cake walk. Proceeds went to The Whale Scholarship Fund, named after late Wassaic Assistant Fire Chief Jason Whaley, who died at the age of 37 of pancreatic cancer. Whaley was beloved and is greatly missed. The scholarship offers Webutuck High School students financial help in the pursuit of higher education. 

The D’Amby Project, a well-known Irish step dancing group, was at the festival, offering group lessons on the mill porch for those from age 5 to 70.  

Temporary tattoos were offered by the Teen Team, from the North East Community Center. A small child wept when she saw the word “love” tattooed on her arm. Her mother assured her the tattoo was only temporary.

Across the street from the mill, the Lantern restaurant opened its doors later in the afternoon. At 6 p.m., the main street was closed to traffic and a bounce house was opened for children. At least 100 people pre-ordered fried chicken dinners at $10 apiece at the firehouse, with money going to The Whale Scholarship Fund. At 8 p.m., the bands began playing. National Reserve, a country-style band from New York City and The Jack Moves, a sweet-sounding soul band, both played to an enthusiastic crowd.

The exclusive, high-end housing development and country club, Silo Ridge, which is still in construction, announced it will match the $4,000 raised by sales at the Lantern, through  chicken dinner sales, the cakewalk and entertainment admission tickets. As a result, the fund is now $8,000 richer.

For more on The Wassaic Project, go to www.wassaicproject.org.