Business & Tech
Rain Invades First Day Of Mount Kisco Sidewalk Sale
The event is also on Sunday from noon to 4 p.m.
The first day of the two-day Mount Kisco Sidewalk Sale kicked off with about an hour and a half of heavy rain, leading to a fairly slow morning at the annual event. While a few vendors packed up a left, many other stuck it out, huddling up under umbrellas and packing up their merchandise while waiting for a glimpse of sun and blue skies.
“It’s a rain or shine event, and unfortunately we got a bit more rain than shine today,” said Kathleen Mooney, executive director of the Mount Kisco Chamber of Commerce, which organizes the event. “It’s supposed to be beautiful on Sunday, so we’re hopeful a lot of people come out then.”
The second day of the Mount Kisco Sidewalk Sale runs from noon to 4 p.m. on Sunday, but Mooney and the rest of the chamber didn’t have to wait that long for some people to stop by.
The heaviest morning rain was mostly over by noon, and by about 12:30 p.m. there were people walking around to the vendors who didn’t already leave. One such vendor was Janice Newman, executive director for the Putnam Children’s Discovery Center in Mahopac. She was there selling Tupperware.
“We run the Tri-County Science & Technology Fair for Westchester, Rockland and Putnam counties, and we’re always desperately looking for money,” she said. “We use Tupperware as an ongoing fundraiser for that, and we also do hands-on science in the local elementary schools. So it was important to me to raise the funds for this year’s programming.”
Newman said she didn’t try to put away her items, but did try to cover them up, leading to the rain soaking up her jacket. Luckily, she added, Tupperware can handle the rain.
Another vendor who stuck out the rain was Stuart Strutin, who along with his wife owns the Children’s Acting Academy in New York City. The two are expanding to Westchester, starting to offer classes and workshops in the fall, and so Strutin said he felt it was important to stay out in the rain to try and get the word out.
“I didn’t consider leaving because I was hopeful it would clear up and we’d be one of the few left standing,” he said.
As the sun poked out for a bit in the middle of the day, Black Belt Tae Kwon Do was able to take the stage and perform. The earlier performances didn’t happen due to rain.
One group that remained a popular stop throughout the day was the Pets Alive animal adoption booth, which was located inside. Pets Alive brought about 50 dogs, cats and rabbits with them that people could adopt.
Mooney added that she thinks a lot of local people came over the Sidewalk Sale in the afternoon once they saw the rain clear up for a bit. She said she’s hopeful that the rain on Saturday will lead to a larger turnout Sunday.
