Thank You for Ferry Festa 2011

This past Saturday, standing at the corner of Main and Cedar Streets, there was a Seaof People and Families and Kids in all directions. What an awesome sight it was … what a Fantastic Ferry Festa 2011!

On behalf of village government in Dobbs Ferry, we would like to say “Thank You” to all the people and organizations that made this year’s event such a big success.
 
Thank you to all the residents, neighbors and visitors who came downtown to support the local businesses community; while not every business benefits in the same way, a successful Ferry Festa helps to draw potential new customers and promote the interests of the entire business district, long-term.
 
Thank you to all the local business owners setting-up sidewalk operations, booths and tables; for your support, and for your investment in Dobbs Ferry.
 
Thank you to all the external vendors who came to our village for the day. We appreciated you being here; based on the size of the crowds, we trust it was a positive return, money was spent and goods were sold.
 
Thank you to all the Staff and Departments in the Village of Dobbs Ferry:
 
… To Village Administrator Marcus Serrano, who looked after logistics and supervised the day; to Assistant Treasurer Patrick Dougherty, who kept track of all the vendor records (and permit fees!); to Deputy Manager and Village Clerk Liz Dreaper, who did anything needed to plan and make sure things worked, and to all of the Staff at Village Hall who worked so hard.
 
… To the Parks & Recreation Department, Headed by Matt Arone, who did so much of the planning for the event and especially the entertainment, bands, dancers, and marchers, and all the acts at the Main and Cedar Street Stage.
 
… To Jim Dunn and all the men of the DPW and Highway Departments, who worked so hard to get the village in shape before the Festa, and who worked even harder to get it back into shape afterward.  It was a HUGE job.
 
… To Chief Gelardi and the Police Department and all the Officers, who controlled the crowds and kept everything in order, without incident. Due to the sheer number of peopleThis is one of the Department’s most stressful days as usual they performed brilliantly They keep us safe all the time.

… To Chief Trezza and the Volunteer Fire Department, who were on call, and who hosted fun events and activities at the Fire House (including the dunk pit, which I was able to avoid as a target) and also raised funds for a great local cause; and to theVolunteer Ambulance Corps, also on call in case anyone needed medical attention, and who raised funds to help support the important things they need to serve the community.
 
Thank you to all the folks and members of the Downtown Improvement Committeeand resident  who volunteered their time during Festa; it was not easy directing people where to go, or sorting out the conflicts which invariably arise for something this big. You all did a great job.
 
Thank you to the Dobbs Ferry School District and all the Organizations andClubsandCommittees and Boosters who participated with booths and stations, bouncy castles and raffles; You made a big difference, and it added to the importance of what is truly a community event.
 
Thank you to Mercy College, and especially the young men of the Varsity Lacrosse Team, all looking good in their Maverick Gear; who were downtown all day, helping vendors set-up, carrying tables and chairs, directing traffic, and enjoying the festival. It was great to see so many Mercy College students inter-acting in our village life. We look forward to seeing you around more.
 
Thank you to the St Christopher Clark Academy Marching Cobras; who started the festivities off with a rousing march from one end of downtown to the other. It was brilliant.
 
Thank you to Stop & Shop and John Grudzinski, the local Assistant Store Manager; for providing additional parking on their property to help with overflow, which was not always easy to deal with. The village greatly appreciates their support on this day, and as an important business in our Gateway and Community.
 
And Last but Most …
 
THANK YOU to Bettina Speyer and Paddy Steinschneider, who have together beenthe driving force behind the Ferry Festa for many years.  In getting this event together, they do the job of an entire organization; planning, logistics, marketing, appealing, leading, begging, and sometimes yelling … they have done an incredible job, and the success of this year’s Festa is due in large part to them. This will be Bettina’s last year as a key organizer of Ferry Festa; the village of Dobbs Ferry greatly appreciates all she has done as an organizer of Ferry Festa, and a resident who will be missed. We wish her and husband Tom all the best in the future.  
 
Just in case to cover it all… Thank you to everyone that came, or had anything to do with Ferry Festa 2011!
 
… And the village would love to hear from any new residents that might like to get involved in Ferry Festa 2012.
 
Sincerely,
 

October 4, 2011