Chappaqua's First Fall Festival a Success

Downtown Chappaqua was buzzing Saturday, as throngs of people came for the first-annual sidewalk sale.

"I've never seen foot traffic like this," said Alissa Harvey, owner of The King's Scribe.

Harvey also felt that the day had a mix of good factors helping.

"People were in a great mood, the weather couldn't have nee better," she said.

Aside from browsers in front of stores, there were merchants out and about, hayrides, face painting, a pie recipe contest, bumper cars, a photo booth and a pumpkin patch, just to name a few. Realtor Houlihan Lawrence also held its annual breast cancer awareness event, which involved displaying merchandise for a cause.

The event, backed by the Chappaqua-Millwood Chamber of Commerce, was the biggest one yet for the group, which formed last spring.

"I think turnout's been great," said Rob Greenstein, a Chappaqua resident who is among the chamber's founders. He noted that both residents and merchants were happy, which was a goal of the event.

Among the examples of success Greenstein noted were pumpkin painting by Korth & Shannahan, the pie contest (focusing on recipes) that was judged by the owner of Sherry B, and of the facepainting.

For residents interviewed, the event was a plus.

"It was fun," said Teresa Shen, a Chappaqua resident and pie contest winner, of the contest. She noted that it was her first cooking contest.

Jodi Baretz, a Millwood resident, liked seeing "the community thriving and come togther."

There is another October family friendly activity coming up. Next Sunday, Oct. 21, is the annual Ragamuffin Parade by the Chappaqua train station.