The Spirit of Beacon 2023 banner has risen again onto the roof of Key Food for the second year in a row. A monumentous task last year where Spirit of Beacon committee members Junior Dabashi, Katie Hellmuth and neighbors climbed the roof of Key Food to figure out how to securely and safely hang the banner, after learning that Beacon had banned all banners from hanging across Main Street during this current administration.

Banners promoting event dates have been crucial for fundraising efforts and benefits, as groups use the banners to promote sponsors with logos. Not having a banner takes away that top-tier promise. As is what Beacon businesses do in Beacon, the locally owned franchise Key Food by the Said and Dabashi families, who was a top sponsor of the Spirit of Beacon Day last year and this year, offered their roof to hang the banner.

People also rely on banners to know about big dates and festivals. Not having it has made local organizations have to think of other ways to get the word out. This year, the following local businesses sponsored at the top level for the Spirit of Beacon Day, and are on the prominent placement of the roof:

• Key Food Beacon

• The Roundhouse

• The Station (newest building and business from Kamel and Lena Jamal)

• Carter’s Restaurant

Program Banner

Also hanging on display is the Spirit of Beacon program banner of the day. This provides the breakdown of what is happening at the 4 main locations for the Spirit of Beacon Day. This is where most of the community who shops at Key Food on a daily basis will see who is performing, like the new group The Dummy Lights, the rapper TonyE who is known by many Beaconites and is returning to Beacon from New York City just for this day, as well as other local bands. Read about the full musical lineup here.

This banner was made possible in part by the next level sponsors, Faust Design Build, Verplanck Auto, and Remark Printing. Signage was designed by Katie James Inc.

The other grocery store in town, Beacon Natural, is also a sponsor of Spirit of Beacon Day, as well as many others.