The Catskill Chronicle

DeBruce, NY (September 2, 2011) – As part of its 17^th year, the DeBruce Labor Day Parade returns on Monday, September 5, 2011, with an all new theme celebrating “Fun, Food & Fitness.” And for the second year in a row, the festivities will benefit the Livingston Manor Free Library.

The gathering begins at 10:00 a.m. with the parade starting at 11:00 a.m. In addition to the parade, which will feature floats, a Parade Princess and Queen, The MountainTones Marching Band, and an antique fire truck and cars, the day will include entertainment by Lorena the Flamenco Dancer, The Raddyos, Rainbow Fire Hoops, Zumba dancing and much, much more, including the BIG CHAIR.

Plus face painting by Charles Irace, tarot card readings, hayrides, a Kripalu Certified Yoga Instructor, and a book sale.

There will also be a farm market featuring Neversink Farm, Jill’s Open Sesame Sauce, Main Street Farm Market & Cafe, Flour Power Bakery, Snowdance Farm, Early Bird Cookery Ice Cream and more, plus community-minded businesses such as Morgan Outdoors, Plunk Shop and the Livingston Manor Health Center.

As a special treat, entertainer Mike Vreeland will perform his “Fun Songs & Sing-a-Longs.” Mike has been a featured children’s performer on WJFF Jeffersonville, N.Y. (90.5FM public radio) and has given many performances in the Sullivan County, N.Y. and Wayne County, Pa. areas, at schools, libraries, street fairs and festivals.

In addition to all the festivities, there will be two raffle drawings – one for a Stone Garden Carving by Dick Kelly that will be engraved according to the winner’s specifications, and another drawing for a quilt and afghan to support the Annual Johnny Darling Festival. 

Lunch items for sale will be provided by the Livingston Manor Free Library volunteers.

Brand new this year, and fitting right in with the 2011 theme of “Fun, Food & Fitness,” will be the debut of The DeBruce Fun Run/Walk. The event will feature three distance races for kids and an almost-one-mile race for those 14 and over starting right after the parade.

Children ages 5-7 will participate in a 100-yard dash; children 8-10 will run a 200-yard dash; and children11-13 will compete in a 300-yard dash.

The one-mile Fun Run/Walk will have 6 categories for those aged 14 and over. All ages are invited to participate.

The names of all finishers in the Fun Run/Walk will be entered in a drawing for prizes donated by area businesses – must be present to win.

Registration fees for the DeBruce Fun Run/Walk are $5 for adults (14 and up) and $3 for children. Event day registration will close 20 minutes before race time.

For more information about the DeBruce Fun Run/Walk, call Virginia Sanborn at 482-4000, ext. 1157 on weekdays during regular business hours or 845-439-4590 evenings, or e-mail her at vsanborn@jeffbank.org.

The fun all starts at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, September 5 – The 17^th DeBruce Labor Day Parade. Come dressed as your favorite food: vegetable, fruit or free-range chicken and march in the parade. Then take part in the Fun Run/Walk and stay for entertainment and fun for the whole family at “Fun, Food & Fitness.”

It’s happening at 21 Goff Road, DeBruce, NY, Exit 96 off Route 17, five miles east of Livingston Manor. For more information call the Livingston Manor Library at 845-439-5440.