Family-Friendly Fun Draws Community to Brewster Fall Festival

Brewster’s Main Street was overflowing with smiling faces on Sunday, September 8 at the Brewster Fall Festival. The sunny day set the stage for over 115 vendors, businesses, organizations, and food trucks that lined the street. This family-friendly event is the largest held in the Village of Brewster drawing in a crowd estimated at over 5,000.

The Brewster Fall Festival is in its second year of revival after the Cultural Arts Coalition offered to organize the annual September event formerly known as Brewster Founder’s Day. The event is now a fundraiser for the Cultural Arts Coalitions efforts for the restoration of the Old Town Hall Theater located at 67 Main Street in the heart of the Village of Brewster.

Entertainment Chair, Katy Faivre, organized entertainers who provided free performances on three stages during the 5-hour event. Performers included Frankie Becerra, 1/3 of Sophie, Alex Petersen, Brewster Twirlers, Emily Chin, Grampfather, John Delgado, Jordan Coates, Nelva Zambrano, Pied Piper Theater, R&D Group, Raquel and the Wildflowers, Rivertowns Collective, Seven Stars School of Performing Arts, Shayne Pelliccio, Spotlight Arts, Stolen Goodz, and The United Latin American Pentecostal Church Music Group.

Event Chairs Margaret Carey, Judy Marano, and Frank Funigiello were happy to see the record-breaking crowds enjoying the festivities. “The organization of the Brewster Fall Festival takes months and countless hours from our dedicated volunteers all helping selflessly to help raise funds for the theater,” explains Carey, “Our team is comprised of business owners, teachers, stay-at-home moms, retirees, students, and more. We truly appreciate their time and talent.”

Putnam County Legislator, Joseph Castellano held a Veterans’ Medal Award Ceremony
to honor four Putnam County Veterans. The Putnam County Veteran’s Medal was awarded to Peter Allegretta, Rob Rottkamp, Edwin Alvarez, and Andres Gil. “As we are enjoying this beautiful day, I just want to say Godspeed to our brothers and sisters who are still overseas fighting the good fight,” stated Gil.

The Brewster Public Library also held a groundbreaking ceremony for their expansion and renovation project. “The Brewster Fall Festival was the perfect day to hold our groundbreaking ceremony,” stated Peter Carey, President of the Library Board of Trustees, “We can’t wait for the community to enjoy the new design, services, activities, and events that the Brewster Public Library will be implemented after the project is completed.” Library Director Gina Loprinzo invited members of the community to stop by to explore the current services and programs currently offered at the library.

"This year's Brewster Fall Festival was even bigger and better than last year,” explains Judy Marano, Cultural Arts Coalition president, “Walking around seeing all the smiling faces and people getting along is what community spirit is all about. We at the Cultural Arts Coalition are so proud to present this event."

Special thanks to the event sponsors: MVP Health Care, Open Door Family Medical Center, OLA Consulting Engineers, PCSB Bank, Village of Brewster, Putnam County, Brewster HamletHub, EA Test Prep, Confident Home Inc., and Master IT Media.

For more information about the restoration of Old Town Hall Theater and the Cultural Arts Coalition, visit www.CulturalArtsCo.com.

So save the date for next year’s Brewster Fall Festival on Sunday, September 13, 2020.