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Block Party, Fireworks and Blowing Off Steam
Cold Spring celebrates two "hot" events
by Mike Turton
 | | The crowd eagerly awaited sundown for the annual Cold Spring Fireworks show |
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Even the extremely hot, steamy weather that has blanketed Cold Spring in recent weeks provided the perfect atmosphere for last Saturday's festivities commemorating the two hundredth anniversary of Robert Fulton's pioneering use of steam to power boats on the Hudson River. "Blowing Off Steam" was the theme for an afternoon that included a Main Street parade, children's activities, costumes, story telling and historical displays. After the parade, two hundred wooden whistles were given away to kids and not-so-young kids. The distinctive sound of steam train whistles quickly filled the Village air. Robert Fulton himself even made an appearance - albeit in the form of well-known area story teller Jonathon Kruk. The "steamy" celebration was sponsored by the Western Putnam Economic Development Council, the Hudson River Navigator and J. Robert Folchetti and Associates.
" 'Blowing Off Steam' was like a stake in the ground," explained Marshall Mermell, Vice President of the Cold Spring-Garrison Area Chamber of Commerce and President of Marketing Works. "It was a small, fun event - but it was also a kickoff for the Hudson River quadracentennial," Mermell said. He went on to explain that 2009 will mark the 400th anniversary of Henry Hudson's and Samuel de Champlain's voyages along the river and lake that now bear their names. Numerous events are being planned from the Canadian border in the north to the New York City harbor in the south.
It was a day that did not run out of steam early. Who better to turn up the heat that evening than the Cold Spring Fire Department and its annual Block Party and Fireworks display held in Mayor's Park? The band "Neutral No Brakes" set the festive tone. With good music, food and drinks and the buzz of animated conversations, the party got into full swing. Cold Spring resident Debbie Darman seemed to capture the collective mood of the event. "It was so nice to be able to walk down to the park, see your neighbors and have fun. There was just a warm, fuzzy feeling to it," she stated before quickly adding "And the fireworks were amazing!"
The "ooooh's and awww's" certainly showed that the crowd agreed the fireworks were a spectacular ending to a great evening. As soon as the sky grew dark, the main event, produced by July-4-Ever Fireworks Company of Walden, NY, lit up the night sky. This was the same company that did the fireworks show last year, and they out-did themselves in the repeat engagement.
Faces turned skyward in unison. Primary colors exploded and splashed high above Mayor's Park. Thunderous blasts echoed up and down the river. The Cold Spring Fire Department's colorful array of fireworks not only delighted the huge crowd at the park - it also undoubtedly entertained hundreds of onlookers for miles around.
Will the fireworks become a yearly tradition in Cold Spring? That remains to be seen, but one thing is certain, without the support from local businesses and individuals the show would not have gone on this year. If you want to see it happen again, let the Fire Company know while the memories are still fresh.
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