Village of Ossining Hosts First Annual Chalk It Up! Festival on October 19
Ossining, NY (PRWEB) September 08, 2014 -- On Sunday, October 19, the Village of Ossining will host the first annual Chalk It Up! Festival. Families and visitors from throughout Westchester County are invited to enjoy a day of music, dance, crafts and food alongside amateur and professional artists painting Ossining’s Main and Spring Street sidewalks with chalk pastel. Sponsored by the Village of Ossining through its Downtown Events Committee, the free festival will be held from 10:00am – 4:00pm.
“This is the first time ever that Ossining will host Chalk It Up! and we are eager to welcome the Westchester community to this family-friendly festival,” said Ingrid M. Richards, Manager of Downtown and Economic Development. “Sidewalk painting is challenging, yet rewarding. The Ossining Downtown Events Committee is encouraging artists of all levels to share their artistic talents.”
The deadline to register as an artist is October 1st. Prizes will be awarded at the end of the festival for first, second and third place. Space is also still available for food and vendor booths.
Children's illustrator Rose Mary Berlin will serve as the festival's featured artist, hosting a free drawing activity for children at 11am and 2pm. An artist all her life, Berlin has illustrated more than forty children's books, including the Itty & Bitty series for McWitty Press and other publishers such as Golden Books, Harper Collins, Simon & Schuster, Sesame Workshop, Pearson Learning and School Zone. She is currently illustrating Little Bunny for Highlights for Children's Hello and High 5 magazines. She also licenses her art for products such as greeting cards, puzzles, and flags. Berlin, who resides in Yorktown Heights with her husband and two children, will have books and art available for purchase at the festival.
“Again the Village brings public art to the heart of downtown – a pledge we made at the conclusion of the stupendously successful ‘Ossining in 3D’ celebration,” said Mayor William R. Hanauer.
Chalk It Up! is the first major event sponsored by the newly formed Ossining Downtown Events Committee. Established by the Village to promote the downtown area as a lively, safe and vibrant community, the Committee is charged with developing a variety of special events and activities at Ossining’s Market Square. The Committee is also a result of a joint partnership study with the Business Council of Westchester, which focused on how to attract young professionals to the historic village. Among the study's key findings was the desire for additional high quality programming for local residents and visitors to enjoy.
The Ossining Downtown Events Committee, comprised of local residents and business owners, includes Harry L. Campbell, President, Biofeedback Resources International Corp.; Bradley Morrison, Director of Cultural Arts at the Ossining School District; Miriam Risko, co-owner of Mike Risko Music School and Store; Kendra V. Rossney, owner and founder of Dragonfly Wellness Yoga Studio; Frankie Rowland, Director - Marketing & Community Relations, Down to Earth Farmer’s Markets; Dr. Gregorey Runey, DPT Director of Rehabilitation, St. Barnabas Rehabilitation & Continuing Care Center; and Neil Woolf, owner of Bobs Army and Navy. Ingrid M. Richards, Ossining’s Manager of Downtown and Economic Development, serves as the Village liaison.
For more information on Chalk It Up!, contact Ingrid M. Richards, Manager of Downtown and Economic Development, at (914) 941-3554 or [email protected]. Applications for artists, craft and food vendors are also available online at http://www.villageofossining.org/economicdevelopment.
About the Village of Ossining
On April 2, 1813, the Village of Ossining became the first incorporated village in Westchester County to be state-chartered. Today, Ossining is a culturally diverse, affordable place to live, rich in both history and natural beauty. Approximately 25,600 people reside in the three and one half square miles of this historic Village on the Hudson River, which boasts extensive shopping, recreational programs, educational enrichment opportunities, and excellent municipal services. Ossining’s role in New York’s heritage has been recognized by its inclusion, as one of only 14 areas, in an Urban Cultural Park System designed to attract visitors to the State. Visit http://www.villageofossining.org for more information.
Kelly Lee, Co-Communications, Inc., +1 914.666.0066, [email protected]
Share this article