Copake Days 2008 are here again


 

COPAKE — There will be a celebration to remember as the town of Copake revels in Copake Days this Saturday and Sunday, June 21 and 22. The event is intended to bring family and friends together to celebrate the unique charm and hometown camaraderie of Copake.

"It’s a tradition for many, many years," Copake Days Chairman Chris Quinby said. "We used to have a little one in town but this is much bigger out in the park."

There will be plenty of activities during the two-day event, which will center around Copake Memorial Park. Saturday will kick off with a 5K race and one-mile run for kids at Town Hall. Registration is at 7:30 a.m.; the kid’s race is at 8:30 a.m. and the 5K is at 9:30 a.m.

The rest of the day will be busy. By noon Saturday the park will open for Community Days. There will be a flea market; wall climbing; kids’ activities; a bounce house; a sheriff’s K9 demonstration; a Copake Fire Department demonstration; a parade (at 3:30 p.m.); a chicken barbecue, from the famed grill of Copake Fire Company No. 1 (at 5 p.m.); a performance by the Commander Cody Band (from 7 to 9:30 p.m.); and fireworks (at 9:30 p.m.).

On Sunday the flea market will continue, as will the climbing wall, the kids’ activities and the bounce house. At 9:30 a.m. there will be a tractor pull. From noon until 5 p.m. there will be a battle of the bands, with nine competitors playing for the honor of best band. From 5 to 6 p.m. there will be a CAN (Churches Assisting Neighbors) smorgasbord. From 6 to 8 p.m. there will be the final round of the battle of the bands.

From sunrise until one hour before sunset on both days there will be a Hot Air Balloon Fest at Camp Waubeeka.

According to Quinby, last year’s Copake Days drew an estimated 5,000 people. The big attraction, he said, is that everything is free (except the food).

"I would not be surprised to see 3,000 to 4,000 people per day if the weather is good. We have a lot of stuff," he said. "And everything is free. It brings people from out of town into Copake so the can see what we have and it’s basically just a large, free celebration for people who live here."

To learn more about Copake Days, or about the town itself, log onto copake.org.

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