Action-Packed Weekend in Store for Downtown Chappaqua
There has been plenty of talk about improving downtown Chappaqua and increasing its vitality.
Permanent plans are in motion, but until those are in place, for one weekend the downtown should be buzzing with plenty of excitement.
On Saturday and Sunday, there will be six events, including three new additions to the calendar, that organizers hope will attract crowds of residents as well as out-of-town visitors, particularly if the weather cooperates.
Saturday morning is the re-opening of the Chappaqua Farmers Market at the train station from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and the town’s nearby Take It or Leave It shop in the station’s parking lot. The farmers market is returning after its forced hiatus because of a lack of a suitable venue over the winter.
The Take It or Leave It Shop will be open from 9 a.m. to noon. Only New Castle residents may donate items to the shop but anyone from the public regardless of residency may pick up.
While those two town staples re-emerge after the long winter, two new events promise to add to the action on Saturday. The Northern Westchester Artists Guild will be unveiling its first Art Under the Bridge show from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., where local artists working in a variety of media will sell their works.
Coinciding with the launch of Art Under the Bridge is the first day of the new Chappaqua Flea Market from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The art show and the flea market will return the third Saturday of every month until November.
On Sunday, the Town of New Castle’s annual 10K will step off shortly after 8 a.m., While that is still ongoing, car lovers can head to Revs and Bevs, organized by town residents Sam Matluck and Sam Birenbaum, styled after the many classic automobile shows throughout the area. That will take place from 9 a.m. to noon at the train station’s rear parking lot near the old skate park.
Supervisor Robert Greenstein said he’s optimistic that having crowds flock to the train station and adjacent areas will not only make it a fun and successful weekend for vendors and shoppers but could provide a residual effect for downtown merchants.
“The bottom line is we have this gigantic train station and we should use it as often as we can,” Greenstein said.
Farmers market director Pascale Le Draoulec said many of the public’s favorite vendors will return for the 2015 season. As always there will be a few new features, including two wood-burning pizza ovens and an artisanal baker using locally sourced ingredients.
She said with a more than five-month break, the anticipation of the market’s return could be a strong drawing card, especially with all the activity that’s going on downtown.
Peg Sackler, one of the organizers for Art Under the Bridge, said there will be paintings, ceramics, photography, jewelry designers, fiber artists and many others types of work. The artists will display their works under cover from the elements in the shadows underneath the Route 120 bridge.
All the work displayed will be from local artists and will be on sale, Sackler said.
Joining them is Ilana Arazie, who is bringing the flea market she started in Hastings in 2013 to Chappaqua this weekend. She’s also starting one at Rye Playland.
“It’s a fun experience,” Arazie said.” I’ve always loved festivals, street fairs and carnivals. There’s something about people gathering together outside in the sun and meeting, and sharing their merchandise, stories and more.”
Martin has more than 30 years experience covering local news in Westchester and Putnam counties, including a frequent focus on zoning and planning issues. He has been editor-in-chief of The Examiner since its inception in 2007. Read more from Martin’s editor-author bio here. Read Martin’s archived work here: https://www.theexaminernews.com/author/martin-wilbur2007/