The 11th annual Hillsdale Pumpkin Festival will take place at businesses throughout the Town of Hillsdale and in its Hamlet Park, at the corner of Routes 22 and 23, on Saturday October 9 from 11 AM. to 4 PM. Visitors will have the opportunity to enjoy live music, seasonal displays and activities, a bake sale, community tables, police and sheriff’s department exhibits and a BBQ dinner.
A Gathering of Scarecrows will take place at 11 AM at the Town Hall. The theme for this year’s competition to create and decorate a scarecrow is Superheroes and Villains. Following the contest, participants and the public will parade down main street to the Hamlet Park. Costumes are encouraged for all.
Children 12 and under can take part in free pony rides starting at 2 PM, weather permitting, at BridleWood Dressage, located on 35 Sir William Farm Road in Hillsdale.
At the park, tours will be available of the Columbia County Sheriff Department’s Remote Police Command vehicle and sign ups will be held for the agency’s ID program. Folks will have the opportunity to visit with working police dogs, see the drones used by police, and check out the New York State Police’s “Rollover,” which simulates the injuries in a 35 m.p.h. crash on crash dummies to promote seat belt use.
At the Roe Jan Community Library, one mile south of the Hamlet Park on Route 22, children will be able to enjoy pumpkin painting starting at 1 PM. The event is free but pre-registration required. To sign up, email youth@roejanlibrary.org.
The day’s events will finish with a chicken BBQ dinner hosted by the Hillsdale Fire Company. A half chicken with fixings is $15. Pre-order is required. Email hillsdalefirecompany@gmail.com or call Emily at (518) 938-1585 to reserve a meal. Dinners will be available for pickup at the fire station, just north of the hamlet on Route 22, starting at 4 p.m.
