Land Trust's Family Festival Raises Record Amount for Two Local School Foundations

On June 13th, the Hudson Highlands Land Trust (HHLT) hosted its annual Family Festival - a rollicking, old fashioned barbeque at The Claudio Marzollo Community Center of Philipstown. Turner Construction Company generously sponsored the event, making it possible for the Land Trust to donate 100% of the proceeds to the Haldane School Foundation and The Garrison Children's Education Fund to support environmental programs at the area schools. This year's event was so successful that the donations to each organization were the largest to date.

"This event has clearly been embraced by the community as a beginning of the summer tradition," remarked Andy Chmar, HHLT Executive Director.

Despite threatening skies, more than three hundred residents and visitors turned out for this year's Family Festival. A forecast of severe thundershowers did necessitate cancelling the Sleep Over Under the Stars family campout, but did nothing to quell the positive energy of the event, which combined terrific local food, and a bill of musicians as diverse as they were wonderful: Garrison's Stacey Labriola teamed up with Louie Miranda to perform a high-energy set of music especially for children, Poughkeepsie-based No Brakes offered up set after set of foot-stomping bluegrass music, and Cold Spring's Margaret Vetare offered an attentive crowd soulful ballads and folk songs.

A benefit raffle was made possible through the generous donations of local businesses, including Hudson Valley Outfitters, Photography by Frank Famularo, Hoops by Judy, and Second Wind CSA. The event was hosted by Philipstown Recreation Department and Open Space Institute, and was made possible through the hard work and collaboration of many, many volunteers and helpers.

The Hudson Highlands Land Trust seeks to protect the natural resources, rural character, and scenic beauty of the Hudson Highlands through land conservation, advocacy, environmental analysis, public education, and the promotion of sound, long-term planning. For more information, or to volunteer, contact the Land Trust at 424- 3358 or visit www.hhlt.org.