A sudden downpour gave way to a rainbow Saturday as about 150 people gathered at Milan Rec Park for the town’s annual Community Day.
The Aug. 8 event featured food, dancing, a classic car show, local businesses, and awards honoring residents for their contributions to the community.
Jasmin Vazquez, clerk to Milan Town Supervisor Bill Jeffway, organized the event, which was moved from September to August this year.
“There’s so much new activity happening in Northern Dutchess,” Vazquez said. “I wanted to shake things up a bit to bring the town together.”
The event also featured colonial dance lessons in recognition of the 250th anniversary of the United States.
“It’s living history,” said Rachel Gall, a fiddle player who taught attendees the steps.
Nearby, cars lined the park for a classic car show. The Supervisor’s Pick award went to an electric blue 1938 Chevrolet owned by Matt Fingar. Dan Gemmel’s black 2018 Dodge Durango took first place, Rocky Mancini’s green GMC truck took second, and Ann Mancini’s black 1950 Buick took third.
Under the park pavilion, three residents received Citizen of the Year awards.
Cathie Gill, Milan’s longest-serving town clerk before retiring last year, was among those honored.
“It’s just something you love to do,” she said. “You come to know all of [the citizens], working here for so many years.”
Sisters Ginny and Pat Sidorik were honored together for decades of community service, including work with the fire department, blood drives, pet adoptions, and transportation for residents to medical appointments.
“If you want to be a good volunteer,” Ginny told the crowd, “go out and donate blood. It’s an important thing to do.”
Andrew Kaufman and Jeannie Rhodes, who were not present, received the Beautification Award for restoring and preserving an 1810 colonial-style house at 575 Academy Hill Road.
“For Milan in particular, because we’re split among different postal codes and school districts, we don’t often have an opportunity to come together,” Jeffway said.
On Saturday, residents did just that.
Brava ladies! Ginny and Pat are the welcoming faces of Milan.