Village shoring up plans for big 150th anniversary celebration

By MARTIN WILBUR

Plans are taking shape for the Village of Mount Kisco’s 150th anniversary celebration highlighted by trolley tours and a parade during the weekend that coincides with the date of the municipality’s incorporation.

Last week, the village’s Sesquicentennial Committee provided updates on what visitors can find on the weekend of Saturday, May 31, and Sunday, June 1, and reviewed details about getting the word out to the public.

The weekend consists of a Community Day event on the first day, which kicks off at noon with an opening ceremony at Fountain Park, the public space between Village Hall and the library. That will be followed by a day of food, vendors, games and trolley tours for the public to take in. The tours begin at 12, 1, 2 and 3 p.m.

Sunday will be a special full-length parade that will feature a variety of organizations, floats, decorated cars and music.

Shantae Artis, who heads the Sesquicentennial Committee, said the weekend is coming together after months of discussions.

“It’s a huge undertaking,” Artis said. “It’s been a lot of meetings and a lot of brainstorming and a lot of really great conversations with a lot of great people that represent pretty much every facet of our community to make this, to make this into a reality.”

The village committed up to $50,000 for the festivities, which also include other programs throughout the year. Mount Kisco also received a $5,000 Westchester County grant late last year and is selling ads to businesses and organizations for a 150th anniversary journal that will highlight the history of the village.

Deputy Village Manager Kenneth Famulare said there are also sponsorships that have been coming in and sesquicentennial merchandise for sale that will help recoup a portion of the expenses that the village has been laying out.

The budget covers Department of Public Works expenses and police coverage that weekend, in addition to budgeting for events the remainder of the year. Mount Kisco was officially incorporated on June 1, 1875.

“We’re just mindful of having the $50 to $60,000 budget, and also I feel like we’ve talked about everything up to June 1, but we also have ideas post-June 1,” Famulare said.

Events in conjunction with the sesquicentennial started in January with programs at the library.

Historical Society President Ralph Vigliotti urged the committee to support several strategically placed banners throughout the village that advertise the festivities. While the celebration is a commemoration of the village, organizers are hoping to draw visitors for the weekend from throughout the area.

“The banners are a fun thing to see. You get the dates, you’re going by three, four times a week shopping, going to North Bedford Road, working your way through town,” Vigliotti said. “Lots of people come through this town.”

For more information, visit mtkisco150.com.