Upon arriving to the Fishkill Town Center to shop for new and affordable kids shoes at Famous Footwear, the store was gone. And so was the Regal Movie Theater. The Bass shoe-store had left long ago. The Read Scout Reservation Shop is there, as is Dogtopia with all of their dogs, but Olivia’s Barber & Unisex Salon was gone as well.
Photo Credit: Screenshot of photo from WPDH.
Inside the former movie theater, the floor had been ripped up, and renovation work of some kind looked active. WPDH reported on October 4, 2024 that Facebook users of the East Fishkill Community Forum reported that the theater had closed. According to the radio station: “The person that posted the news of the closing, Heather L. Dini, also said that the workers had just found out the week prior. No other information on the closing of the theater was available at the time of this writing.”
On October 3rd, a photo of a man in a truck working on the forever-faded Regal Cinemas sign was taken and published to WPDH, a day before they published their news article about the closure.
ALBB has not verified with Regal Entertainment Group as to when they notified employees of the closure. The media outlet also reported that the movie theater group had announced dozens of closings: “Back in January 2023, Regal Cinemas announced that they would be closing 39 theaters across the U.S. and unfortunately that included a one Hudson Valley theater, the Cortlandt Town Center Regal 'United Artist Theaters' in Mohegan Lake.”
Upon the news of this suddenly almost vacant building, readers of ALBB chimed in with different reactions. Bespoke suit tailor David Reese said: “I remember a time of chaos... ruined dreams... this wasted land. But most of all, I remember The Road Warrior.”
Wearable art designer Selma Karaca said: “We are bankrupt but we have $ to supply all the wars in the other side of the world.”
Jillian Rotsky aka @therealpurpletutu said: “It's pretty dead. But there is an excellent wine store, Boutique Wines Spirits and Cider, and a great Indian restaurant!” OliveGaza and others agreed: “Gymkhana the Indian restaurant is 🔥 (esp the lunch buffet!)”
Now residents must drive further up to the Poughkeepsie Mall to find Famous Footwear and DSW for a wider variety of lower priced kids shoes. Plato’s Closet is coming to Poughkeepsie, and there are other consignment shops in the area to help with this.
ALBB readers also chimed in to say that Planet Fitness is moving in to the movie theater spot, which has been confirmed.
Winter is the hardest time for all of us. It’s a time when businesses need to get the word out the most, but budgets are low as tourist traffic dies down and snow shovels are out.
ALBB is offering a Christmas In July sale on advertising! For Main Street Businesses only.
Lock in 6 months of advertising now and enjoy the promotion onward. Partner with us each week to get the exact message out you want.
WEEKLY AD PRICING
REGULAR $200/month HOLIDAY SALE! $170/month BEST DEAL $150/month (Discounted Sponsor Subscription program auto-billing)
INCLUDED
Storefront Photo A square photo (your choice) of your business placed in the shopping guide + Logo.
Photo Gallery A few pictures of your establishment.
Event Listings List any and all of your events, and get them listed in ALBB’s Things To Do weekend newsletter.
Newsletter Weekend Feature Guaranteed placement in our weekend newsletter, known as the “Things To Do In Beacon Guide” or “Retail Therapy Guide.”
Weekly Instagram Post We will pull a photo from your Instagram every week & re-share it to our Instagram! Sometimes, we will come in & take photos of things we love & share them with our readers as well. *If you have a photo & specific writing that you want us to share, please email it to us by Wednesday of each week.*
Member Meetups A monthly member networking meeting (optional)
A Little Beacon Blog provides free listings of Things To Do to the community, but there are ways to elevate your business and personalize how ALBB’s audience is seeing and experiencing what your business offers. We do this in a unique way. Different than any magazine. More time consuming to produce than any magazine or newspaper does, but we do it because it works with our readers. Our job is to tell stories and build relationships. Here is how we do it, and how your business can partner up:
Shopping Guide
A Little Beacon Blog's Shopping Guide is one of the biggest draws to this publication. Every store is listed in it for the best experience for our readers. Google rewarded A Little Beacon Blog with a #1 ranking for "boutique shopping beacon ny."
Designed to elevate your store from the rest, this advertising campaign is integrated with our Instagram. Show your storefront in the listing, share new arrivals and products, discounts and promos, upcoming events, and more! Get your business a permanent weekly feature in A Little Beacon Blog's Retail Therapy Newsletter sent on Fridays (see examples here), as well as weekly Instagram features. We do the work for you.
This subscription package is designed specifically for restaurants to be found in the “Restaurant Guide” & more. A Little Beacon Blog’s Guides are strong on the Internet. When people are Googling, these Guides are what come up first, and is often how people discover their favorite restaurants. Let your restaurant or eatery stand out in this guide with your logo, a photo gallery of your mouth-watering eats, rotating specials, upcoming events, and more! Sponsoring this guide allows you to feature something special every week on our Instagram and be included in our weekly newsletter. Don’t worry if you don’t have the time to send us the special stuff, we can dig deep and do this all for you.
This Beauty Guide subscription package is designed for anything beauty located on Main Street in Beacon! From hair & nail salons to laser hair removal and makeup application. You name it! Feature your beauty salon, your favorite beauty products, beauty services, hours, events, specials, and more! This will all be featured weekly in our Instagram and in our weekly newsletter of 2,700 subscribers.
Kids Classes are popular in Beacon and the Hudson Valley. Especially during this time of year when parents are scrambling to find Summer Camps and Kids Programs for their kids. Our Kids Classes Guide as been developed with Beacon families in mind; it's for people who attend classes in town as well as anyone who drives to neighboring areas for popular programs. Advertising in this guide allows you do feature a storefront photo and/or logo, a photo gallery, event/class listings including days and times, newsletter weekend features & weekly Instagram features.
Want to share your Summer Camp Program in our Summer Camp Guide too? We can do both and offer a 25% discount on our Summer Camp Guide Pricing! A win-win.
Readers love A Little Beacon Blog for its comprehensive coverage and listings. Readers come here looking for the best resources, and your business needs to be one of those. Levels of sponsorship in the Business Directory include basic listings for a budget-friendly option, as well as more integrated options with our editorial and social media. Advertising and sponsorship is subscription based, and can be upgraded or downgraded at any time.
Some categories include Accounting, Catering, Event Spaces, Floral, Health & Wellness, Home Improvement, Photography, Real Estate and so much more! Best part about this…? If you don’t see a category that fits your business, we can create one just for you and your business!
The Business Directory includes businesses not only in Beacon but around the Hudson Valley area.
Our highest and most integrated form of marketing… Branded Content. This package is great for businesses, artists, or organizations who want to show and tell to our readers by using many photos to color the story that we will write for you.
Branded Content includes 1 Article designed specifically for you, an extensive Instagram + Facebook feature, and a special newsletter featuring YOU to our 2,700 subscribers. Up to 5 photos are included. Our photographer can come to your place of business if in Beacon to take photos. Or, we can use photos you already have. However, if we feel that the photos are not adequate, we will want to send out our photographer, which may involve an additional fee if outside of Beacon.
Tibet Tree Of Life has opened a second location in Beacon! The first is located on the east end of Main Street, near the mountain (460 Main St). That location has home goods and furniture. This new location (178 Main St) has the crystals, bowls, skirts and pants you remember from the first store. And yes, owner Tanzin does have a retail presence in NYC also. Happy shopping!
Our shopping guide has a complete list of shops on Main St!
JK Techs used to be located across the street near Beacon Barkery, but moved months ago into the new building near the DMV and Antalek and Moore. Inside, find very comfortable blue tooth headphones, speakers, cords, and lots of other tech things. Get your gadgets serviced inside including screen repair, and even pay a phone bill!
Our shopping guide covers all shops on Main St! Find what you need!
As you walk down Main Street, you’ll notice new businesses are popping up all the time! Like, Healthy In Color and Butterhead Salad Company (opening in April).
We try to keep up with new businesses as we notice them! Then we add them to our Shopping Guide, Restaurant Guide, or Beauty Guide. Main Street businesses get a free basic listing in these guides.
If you’re a new business or if you notice a new business and don’t see it listed in one of our guides, let us know. It’s not intentional — we’re just a small mighty team and sometime’s it’s hard to keep up.
If any of you complain that Beacon has become a "bedroom community" where only tourists keep it alive, ALBB can tell you right. now. that YOU have the power to sustain us throughout the week. But you might not be coming out!
Silly. Lots of you complain - or give the reason - "Oh, well, I don't come out mid-week because everyone is closed! I can't remember what day they are open!" True, Dear Reader. Usually Tuesdays are the worst days in Beacon for places to be closed.
But. Places like Homespun and MOD and Ziatun and Max's on Main and Hudson Valley Food Hall have been trying their best to stay open 7 days for you, and for that, they must be rewarded. By You. You really need to go to them on a Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday. Their sales need to go up on those days! The weekends are flooded, yes, but the restaurants and boutiques cannot survive alone on that. They need you! You need them!
PRO TIP: Order ahead. If you are working in an office in Beacon, and you say: "But ALBB, I only get a few moments for my lunch. I take a brisk walk down Main Street, and then I'm back in my building!"
ALBB can tell you: "Order ahead, silly! Duck in on that fast walk and pick up!"
Are you a patron of a restaurant or boutique, and love ALBB, and want to see your favorite shop advertise? Tell them! They need your encouragement. We can only continue publishing with the financial support of readers and businesses. Thank you!
ALBB is small but mighty, and people love us. And we love them. xoxoxoxo
THE EVENTS + RETAIL THERAPY GUIDE Book an Event Promotion Advertising spot here.
You can sponsor this Event Guide with your event, for extra promotion of it!
If you'd like to guarantee to see your entertainment event listed here, click here for more info >
Edited and Written By Teslie Andrade and Katie Hellmuth Martin
Serious. Comedy Theatre Presents Improv Open Jam Day: Friday, January 27, 2023 Time: 7:30pm doors / 8pm show Location: 22 Kent St Room #109, Beacon, NY
Not sure if you’re ready to take a full improv class? Just want to dip your toes in the improv waters? Or have you been performing for a while and just want to sharpen some skills? Information > Serious. Comedy Theatre Is A Sponsor! Thank You!
2023 BCSD Student Film Festival
Day: Saturday, January 28, 2023 Time: 1-3pm Location: Dia Beacon, Beacon, NY
It’s a “season” now? Why, yes indeed! From this point in the winter onward, students all over Beacon are beginning to create movie magic: planning scripts and storyboards, making props and costumes, inventing new lighting techniques, and figuring out how to attach a camera to a skateboard for a dolly. Information >
Dia: Beacon Hudson Valley Free Day
Day: Sunday, January 29, 2023 Time: 10am-4pm Location: Dia Beacon, 3 Beekman St, Beacon, NY Information >
Howland Chamber Music Circle Piano Festival Day: Sunday, January 29, 2023 Time: 4pm Location: Howland Cultural Center, 477 Main St, Beacon, NY Information >
HUDSON VALLEY FOOD HALL 288 Main Street, Beacon, NY
Dulce Cielo Mexico added a new organic salad to their menu! Spring greens, cucumber, tomato, walnut, red onions, seasonal fruit *can add protein or cheese! Stop in the HV Food Hall for tons of goodness! Follow HV Food Hall's foodies:
Miz Hattie's BBQ: Southern Style BBQ, from North Carolina. Order ahead via their Toast-app menu! El Nica: Nicaraguan Food Roosevelt Bar: Cocktail Bar Shmuck's Sweet Stuff: Local Ice Cream, Hot Waffles, and Other Sweet Stuff Hudson Shawarma: Falafels, shawarma, baklava, and platters Ciao Chow - Hand made pasta and fried rice Dulce Cielo Mexico: Authentic Mexican street food with vegetarian and vegan options. Elixxr Wellness: Wellness cafe offering drinks with adaptogens Tara Fusion Cuisine: Fusion cuisine of Bangladeshi, Indian, Sri Lankan and Middle Eastern food Hudson Valley Food Hall is a Sponsor, thank you!
BAJA 328 328 Main Street, Beacon, NY
BAJA WINGS! Made with your Choice Of Chipotle-Honey Glaze, Korean BBQ, Spicy Baja Sauce -With Blue Cheese. The appetizer you need before you indulge in other goodies! Tacos, quesadillas, main plates (like the tequila scampi, steak risotto, cabo burger, etc.), and specials! Baja constantly has new specials because they use the finest ingredients! Stop in this weekend to fill your belly & soul. PS: Happy Hour Tues-Fri 4-6pm PPS: Check out Baja's specials! > Constantly changing! Check out their specialty drinks > BAJA 328 is a Sponsor, thank you!
HUDSON VALLEY GOLDSMITH
226 Main St Retail 2
(845) 255-5872
Loving this alternative to traditional hoops! Solid 14K yellow gold Open Paper Clip Hoop Earring is exactly what your jewelry collection needs! Unique, minimal, sleek, and stunning! Shop the paperclip earring here! > FYI *Did you know… anything you see in one metal, Hudson Valley Goldsmith can make in another? YES! Want these in white gold? Np! Shop all earring here >
Interested in Custom Design work? See here for CUSTOM details >
OPEN:
Tuesday-Thursday: 10:00am-5:00pm
Friday-Saturday: 10:00am-6:00pm Shop Jewelry > Hudson Valley Goldsmith is a Sponsor, thank you!
LUXE OPTIQUE 181-183 Main Street, Beacon
These White Gold Corbusier Leisure Society Frames from Luxe are the ones... the ones to complete any look! WFH? Check! Grabbing coffee? Check! Grocery shopping? Check! Out for dinner? Check! They go good with e v e r y t h i n g! Shop Luxe Optique online or stop in store! Luxe offers comprehensive eye exams, contact lens exams, contact lens new wearer training, expert progressive lens fitting, custom eyewear fittings & adjustments, eyewear repairs, and DMV vision tests! Your one-stop-shop for all eyewear needs!
Need contact lenses? See more info here >
Need to make an appt ? Do that here! > See collections > PS: Appointments required for exams. BEACON HOURS
Monday from 10AM–5PM
Tuesday-Saturday from 10AM–6PM
Sunday CLOSED
Located on Main Street in Historic Beacon, the studio has been guiding and instructing students since 1957- over 60 years ago! Register Online > Yanarella is a Sponsor, thank you!
Kids Improv Workshop & Jam Day: TBD Time: 1:30pm-3:00pm Location: 22 Kent St., Room #109, Beacon, NY 12508 (Old Beacon High School)
The first half of the jam has lessons with warm-up games, foundational exercises while the second half is fun, silly, practice play with a break in between. Small groups will be broken out by age as needed. Absolutely zero experience is needed to attend any session! Information >
IMPROV 101- WINTER 2023
Class meets: Wednesday’s Time: 7-10pm 6 sessions: January 25th- March 1st Class Showcase: Sunday, March 4 (time TBD) Teacher: Connor Classes meet at: 22 Kent St., Room #109, Beacon, NY 12508(Old Beacon High School) Information > Explore all classes >
IMPROV 201 - WINTER 2023 Class meets: Tuesday's Time: 7-10pm 8 sessions: January 10-February 28 Class showcase: Sunday, March 4 (time TBD) Teacher: Chris Classes meet at: 22 Kent St., Room #109, Beacon, NY 12508(Old Beacon High School) Information > Explore all classes >
SKETCH WRITING - WINTER 2023 Class meets: Thursday’s Time: 7pm - 10pm 8 sessions: January 12th - March 2nd Class Showcases: March 4 (time TDB) Teacher: Chris Classes meet at: 22 Kent St., Room #109, Beacon, NY 12508 (Old Beacon High School) Information > Explore all classes >
Serious. Comedy Theatre is a Sponsor, thank you!
Beacon has a growing number of beauty salons and professional pampering to take advantage of - you can even book a transforming appointment at a lash bar! Be it a totally new hair style, or a facial, you have options in Beacon. Plus, one of the most enjoyable gifts you can give to someone is a gift certificate. So we have included links to where you can buy a gift certificate from any of these fine services that offers one. Check out ALBB's Beauty Guide here >
Special Message For Businesses: If you want to advertise in this Guide with a picture, logo and promotions, please click here.
BEACON DENTAL
1020 Wolcott Avenue, Beacon, NY
(845) 838-3666
Beacon Dental's dentists may recommend teeth whitening to quickly improve the appearance of your smile! In-office whitening can dramatically enhance your smile in as little as one visit to Beacon Dental, while take-home whitening allows you to brighten your smile in the comfort of your own home. Give them a call at 845-838-3666 to make an appointment with Dr. Hongli Wang and learn more about professional teeth whitening! Explore all services > Beacon Dental is a Sponsor. Thank you!
ANTALEK & MOORE INSURANCE AGENCY
340 Main Street, Beacon
January is #TeenDrivingAwarenessMonth! If your teen is ready to hit the road, now's the time to emphasize the importance of safe driving and establish ground rules, such as no cellphone use, extra passengers, speeding, alcohol, or driving without a seat belt.
Get in touch with Antalek & Moore! If you have any questions or concerns about how your driving teenager will affect your policy, please contact them right away. Latest Announcements > Antalek & Moore is a Sponsor. Thank you!
TIN SHINGLE
It’s time!! To really use Tin Shingle’s 2023 Editorial Content Planner to contain your publishing ideas for what you need to put on your company blog, newsletter, and social media posts. This is an Excel spreadsheet that you can download from the Tin Shingle website, and then upload to Google Drive to connect your entire team with. Connect yourself with it on your phone from wherever you are. FREE: Free for Tin Shingle Members. Join now so that you can come into the community to discuss how to use the calendar on our Tin Shingle Open Office Hours (Idea Sessions) or in the online Forum. Already a member? Simply Log In and click here to download this template for free. $75:Buy it and get lifetime access. You will get the following year and updates every time they are uploaded to the Tin Shingle website for free. Learn More About Tin Shingle > Tin Shingle is a Sponsor. Thank you!
KATIE JAMES, INC.
Here's the final sign for Dulce Cielo Mx! Located inside the HV Food Hall. It is officially complete! Go order your quesadilla Tuesday-Sunday and get your Breakfast Burrito on Saturday or Sunday 12-2pm only.
Then... inquire about a hand painted sign with love! > We're here for you. RECENT WEBSITE PROJECTS Homespun Foods > Barb's Butchery > Sparrenberger Studio > Katie James Inc. is a sponsor. Thank you!
A new art gallery called Super Secret Projects has opened down the hallway behind the boutique Hyperbole at 484 Main Street on the east end of Main Street near the mountain. Says Carolyn Baccaro, co-owner of the space: “We did a small renovation, and now you can walk right through the shop. We're also open 11am-6pm daily, so this is a full-time art gallery in Beacon, yay!!”
The creator of Super Secret Projects, Diana Vidal, likens the space to a speakeasy since one accesses it by walking through the boutique and down a hallway to get to the gallery, she told the Highlands Current. The co-owners of Hyperbole, Carolyn Baccaro and Andrea Podab are known for their collaboration with business and artistic projects, which have involved a pop-up shop at A Little Beacon Blog’s former space before they opened their own shops Artifact Beacon and Wares (which merged into Hyperbole), and a partnership with Beacon Mercantile who later opened a storefront on Main Street until she needed to move out to help a family member with their health.
About “Duality”
The 100% artist-run and curated space will host a public reception for their first group show, “Duality,” on Saturday, January 14th, from 7pm to 10pm at 484 Main Street. The exhibition, which runs through February 4th, will feature the work of local artists Alyssa Follansbee, Darya Golubina, Allegra Jordan, Yunmee Kyong, Elin Lundman, Evan Samuelson, and Diana Vidal.
According to the press release: “Conventionally, duality is defined as an instance of opposition or contrast between two aspects of something. Within this exhibition, we will endeavor to creatively explore the multitude of ways that the conceptual ideas of duality identify themselves within our existential outlook, history, and approach to the world. Like two sides of a coin, or interchangeable roles, a dichotomy of reality exists within us all. The work shown here is our reconciliation.”
Super Secret Projects is an artist-run initiative created to foster community and facilitate opportunities for emerging and mid-career artists to collaborate, experiment, and share their work. Visitors can peruse fresh and exciting local art 7 days a week from 11am to 6pm with new exhibits every month.
Stunning, right? 😍 These Thanksgiving table arrangements are no accident and were custom made by yours truly Katie James Inc. Design with the loving guidance from Jill owner of Witch Hazel (near Artisan Wine Shop), the store that is quickly joining the league of amazing smelling stores on Beacon’s Main Street.
I brought in the vases (but she has beautiful little and big vases you can buy there), and we picked the flowers that would stand as centerpieces during my Thanksgiving Dinner for my visiting family. The big maroon center flower is a mushroom. A mushroom! The texture of front and back are different from each other and fascinating. It can be intimating to design a floral arrangement, but you’re in a safe space there. Jill gives you permission to keep going. See this shop and more in A Little Beacon Blog’s Shopping Guide. Watch the design process in ALBB’s Instagram.
For a request for “pudding in fancy glasses," went in search of “fancy cocoa powder” in order to homemake such pudding (turns out, an unsweetened dark chocolate bar or chips were called for), but found all of this goodness instead:
The homemade apple pie at Stella’s Fine Market, and the make-your-own version in a jar.
The stacked rack at Utensil Shops that we didn’t know we needed but there it is solving the counter problems, as well as the popcorn 🍿 bucket. “Everything you didn’t know you needed and more on Main Street! I love that Yamazaki Home - got one in my kitchen too! Happy Thanksgiving!
Voted Best of The Hudson Valley, Hudson Valley Goldsmith has been in New Paltz for the last 10 years and has now opened a 2nd location in Beacon!!!
They are a full-Service Jewelry Store Specializing in Custom and Repairs. They create custom one of a kind fine jewelry including engagement and wedding rings using recycled precious metals, conflict free diamonds and unique gemstones.
Their workshop is headed by David who started making fine jewelry as a teenager. He is a graduate of SUNY New Paltz, receiving his BFA in Metals. He also worked as a stone setter and fabricator making high end jewelry for Tiffany and Co. They have been working hard to make sure their new Beacon boutique is well stocked with silver and gold jewelry, both with and without diamond and colored gemstones. You can see many of their original designs in their storefront where they also carry the work of several other designers. They pride themselves on having a range of styles from classic and trendy to totally unique, and at a wide range of prices!
PS* We compiled a Shopping Guide that includes every single shop in Beacon for your shopping and bookmarking pleasure! If you run a shop or boutique in Beacon and want to sponsor this guide, See here about how to be a regular sponsor and supporter of this publication!
Level 2 Includes the following:
Storefront Photo: A square photo (your choice) of your business placed in the shopping guide + Logo.
Photo Gallery: A few pictures of your establishment.
Event Listings: List any and all of your events.
Newsletter Weekend Feature: Guaranteed placement in our weekend newsletter, known as the “Happening This Weekend Guide,” but during the pandemic, has been renamed to the “Retail Therapy Guide”
Weekly Instagram Post: We will pull a photo from your Instagram every week & re-share it to our Instagram! Sometimes, we will come in & take photos of things we love in your shop & share them with our readers as well. *If you have a photo & specific writing that you want us to share, please email it to us by Wednesday of each week.*
The "Spirit of Beacon Day is alive an well," said former Chair Gwenno James to the City Council during a meeting back in July, during her final appearance as Chair. She was there to present the new Board who volunteered after she put out the call across different channels, which was also published by A Little Beacon Blog.
A Little Beacon Blog's publisher, Katie Hellmuth Martin, felt the role a natural fit for her, being that she had produced 2 floats for South Avenue Elementary School (and decorated 1 drive-by car in the parade during the pandemic), as well as her experience hosting pop-up shops and other community events in her former office space on Main Street.
Junior (Zayed) Dabashi of Key Food had also volunteered to serve, with his experience running many community events for Key Food's family grocery stores in Beacon and in Milford, PA, including car shows (one of his favorites), and open-to-the-community cookouts at the Mosque in Beacon.
Ali T. Muhammad volunteered as well, and as a Beaconite who served on Beacon's City Council, his commitment to Beacon runs deep. You'll see him on the day of the event with a microphone in his hand, serving as a Board Member and MC.
Nickeya Allen pulled in as Treasurer, eager to serve, as her two young children had attended the parade and festival in year's past, and she has participated with ALBB before via Juneteenth.
The reaction from friends and community members has been consistent, and in two forms: 1. "You are crazy!" 2. "Amazing, thank you!! You might be crazy!"
It is true. Anyone who steps into these roles knows that they have a marathon ahead of them. The difference is this is a group marathon where many in the community want to also dive in, get creative, and express what is Beacon.
This Year's Theme: "The Origin Story"
The theme of this year's Spirit of Beacon Day is: "The Origin Story," and here's why:
Event organization wasn't the only reason the role felt right to Katie. In her introductory speech at City Council for the public to hear, she stated: "When the pandemic blossomed into the racial reawakening across the United States and even in Beacon, NY, I started covering the protests down Main Street that marched to Memorial Park and Pete and Toshi Seeger Riverfront Park to listen to people's stories during the open mike sessions.
"As a reporter, I got out of my comfort zone and spoke with neighbors I had never spoken to before, heard their stories about their lives in Beacon, and reflected. In 2020, when September rolled around, I thought the Spirit of Beacon Day was the perfect time to kaleidoscope this. To shine the light on the origins of why the Spirit of Beacon Day was created in 1977." But the pandemic happened, and squashed all in-person events. Gwenno and her committee did all they could to produce a virtual version of the day to keep the spirit alive.
According to an article in the Beacon Evening News from 1985: "For a number of years, the students from the Beacon School System and the community were having some problems that had racial overtones. It was during the winter and early spring of 1977 that, for several days and nights, racial problems became severe. The Sheriff’s department was called into the community to help bring the situation under control. A community meeting was held at the Howland Library."
During that meeting, a solution arose: a community day to bring the people together to better understand each other. This day was called The Spirit of Beacon Day.
The 45th Year For The Spirit Of Beacon Day
In early Committee discussions, the Board members expressed the importance of opening up the day to new organizations to participate. The Committee is so excited to dive into this project to bring it to you, with you. We encourage all of you to apply for a Table and/or to participate in the parade. if you have developed something in the last few years, let's see it! Show it to the people so that more young people can experience it. If you have had something for decades, but never considered participating in this day, please do so now!
VOLUNTEERS Yes, we need so many Volunteers! Volunteering can include helping parade floats and marchers get lined up the day of the parade, helping vendor tables get set up, connecting with non-profits, speaking to Main Street business owners, putting out yard signs in advance, going to collect those yard signs once the day is over, emailing businesses for sponsorship opportunities, producing Instagram art and posts, running the Facebook page, etc. Learn More >
GOFUNDME FOR SPIRIT OF BEACON DAY! The Spirit of Beacon Day now has a GoFundMe drive! Producing this event does cost a bit. Our goal is to raise funds needed for the essentials, and have stipends that we can offer to the schools for decorating their floats, as well as a few other ideas. We do want a cushion so that we are not starting with a low balance at the start of the planning phase. Due to time, we are not having a Fundraising Event this year because August is when everyone goes on vacation, and September is Float Building Time!! All hands on deck. PS! If you are a business wanting to give, please see our Sponsorship option to get promotion . Donate Now >
SPONSORS FOR SPIRIT OF BEACON DAY! Businesses in Beacon are one of the keys to holding the community together. They provide employment, enjoyment, and entertainment. This year, the Committee has developed Sponsor Levels that include logos on T-Shirts, yard signs, bathroom signs (yes! we are encouraging people to use our porta-potties rather than the bathrooms inside of businesses!), and more. Learn About Sponsor Levels >
TABLE APPLICATIONS The Spirit of Beacon Day is everything with its vendor tables and experiences. Which non-profits and social entities making a difference can the community reach out to and meet at a table? Vendor tables are limited, and we are keeping it to non-profit and social groups or entities only. Application required, and if accepted, a $35 Table Fee is needed to secure the spot. Food businesses are encouraged to reach out to partner with a non-profit if they want to offer food. We are encouraging After School Clubs to apply to represent at a table, and other groups not normally seen but need the exposure to reach our young people. Non-profits and groups can serve/sell food as usual! Otherwise, we encourage everyone to also visit our brick and mortar restaurants in Beacon, in addition to the rare street food you'll find from the organizations. Apply Now >
PARADE APPLICATIONS The Parade for the Spirit of Beacon Day is everything! Open to both Beacon businesses and organizations, this parade does require application so that we can keep track of everyone, and curate the lineup. Consider marching, rolling or both! Show your colors. Apply Now >
PERFORMANCE APPLICATIONS We want to hear you play! We want to watch you dance! If you have never performed at the Spirit of Beacon Day before, please apply now. Past and future performers are encouraged to apply. The event is known to attract 3,000 people. Apply Now >
CRAFTS & ENTERTAINMENT APPLICATIONS The Spirit of Beacon Day is looking for activities for Kids we will curate throughout Main Street. This includes face painting, hair braiding, hula-hooping, whatever you got going on. The Salvation Army has graciously donated their space again for a Kids Section setting, and we have a few other places in mind for Pop-Up Experiences. Apply Now >
KEY FOOD FIRST SPONSOR AS "BEACON OF LIGHT SPONSOR" In addition to being a Board Member, Junior Dabashi surprised the Committee with a Sponsorship as our first "Beacon Of Light Sponsor" ($2,000) Sponsor. Key Food Beacon is a longtime participant in the Spirit of Beacon Day as a donor and table participant. This capital enabled the Committee to secure the porta-potties - with an extra ADA compliant unit that fits wheelchairs. We were also able to begin securing a bagpipe band. Thank you JB Said and Junior Dabashi! Learn About Sponsor Levels >
LAST OUTPOST SUPPORTS AS FIRST "SPIRIT SPONSOR" As Junior and Katie were walking around Main Street, saying hello to business owners and touching base with them, the Last Outpost store voiced their strong support for the Spirit of Beacon Day, and came on as our first "Spirit Level Sponsor" ($250)! They carry amazingly rugged things in there, and do check out their custom Beacon made merch. Learn About Sponsor Levels >
ROUNDHOUSE SUPPORTS AS "BEACON OF LIGHT SPONSOR" One of the most historic buildings in Beacon, and a longtime major sponsor of the Spirit of Beacon Day, the Roundhouse has signed on as a "Beacon Of Light Sponsor" ($2,000)! Learn About Sponsor Levels >
LOGO DESIGN CONTEST FOR SPIRIT OF BEACON DAY The Committee for the Spirit of Beacon Day is launching a Logo Design Contest for the design of the Spirit of Beacon Day logo, now celebrating its 45th year. The winning logo will be awarded $300, and be used on all signage, website, social media, merchandise, etc. All entries will be published for viewing, so that everyone can see the range of ideas. Get Design Direction >
Guides To Beacon
When you come to Beacon for the Spirit of Beacon Day, use A Little Beacon Blog's all-inclusive Restaurant and Shopping Guides to prepare you for where to shop and eat. You will buy food from the organizations in the festival who are serving up their own fundraising-based food, but you will also be walking into restaurants for more delicious dishes you don't want to miss. And the shopping....oh the shopping in Beacon is so good!
One of ALBB’s favorite places to stop into is Beacon Mercantile. Not only you can stop in to refill a scent, but you can pick up some scents for friends while you’re there too! Based on the clever names that owner Toni Hacker of Beacon Mercantile always chooses for her scents, we immediately thought of some friends.
Here is some insider info for you:
If you’re an avid reader of A Little Beacon Blog, you’ll notice that we quote an anonymous Citizen Reporter with the name “Cowboy” in their name. This person is always out and about and sending us scoop with photos from their experiences in town. For them, we felt Beacon Mercantile’s scent, “Cowboy Vetiver” was a great fit.
Next, we saw “Stolen Bike” and immediately thought of our dear friends at Homespun Foods. Why you ask? Because we happen to know that the owner, Joe Robitaille, has kids. And those kids have bikes. And those bikes sometimes get stolen. Sometimes, those bikes show up on Beacon’s Facebook Marketplace! So watch out LOL.
The Vanilla scent for ALBB out sister company, Katie James, Inc., because it’s summer and vanilla cake is yummy!
Beacon Mercantile is a sustaining sponsor of ALBB and is featured in our Shopping Guide. Beacon Mercantile is the home base for local maker Toni's handcrafted candles, perfumes, skincare, and apothecary goods which are lovingly made by hand and are a favorite of folks far and wide. Located in Beacon's historic Matteawan train station on the East end of Main Street, the shop also features a seasonal selection of fun finds from fellow makers for home and gifting. A must-visit for the scent and skincare obsessed!
PS: Stop in and check out all of the new goodies like the amazing summer woven bags and tote bags that will go perfectly with any outfit on any day!
Support for this publication comes in part from these businesses. We have highlighted what makes them special on their own dedicated pages. Want your business listed here? See the "Sponsor Spotlight" or "Event Promotion" option in our Advertising Page.
A podcast from A Little Beacon Blog. Your hosts: Katie Hellmuth martin & Brandon Lillard.
The City of Beacon entered into a contract with Legal Services of the Hudson Valley to provide increased access to Beacon tenants facing eviction. They may also be able to help with sources of rent arrears assistance. Call the paralegal, Steven Mihalik at 845-253-6953 to inquire.
Dutchess County Helpline. Open 24/7 to take your calls, listen, and give you resources.
2023 BCSD Student Film Festival
HUDSON VALLEY FOOD HALL
