South Salem Presbyterian Church

2004 Memorial Day Fair

By all accounts, the 28th annual South Salem Presbyterian Church Memorial Day Fair was a smashing success! The largest crowds in recent memory graced the church grounds, the race courses, and the community in general on Memorial Day.

Scouts show the flag

Hard work by many members of the church community, vendors, and neighbors transformed the neighborhood into a festive and social environment for the day.

Races

Over 230 runners completed the 5-K, and 126 completed the 10-K. Overall winners were David Mitzi of Mahopac in the 10-K, and Alexander Whalen of South Salem in the 5-K (click here for full race results).

Runners and supporters wait for the start of the races

As always, the fair opened with a series of races, all starting at the South Salem Library on Main Street. For those wanting a more moderate workout, there was also a 4.3K walk, where health-wise, everyone was a winner.

The race registration crew gets a break

Particpants received T-shirts sponsored by The Yellow Monkey, Kelly Kochan DDS, The Iacomini Family's Salem Country Deli, Katonah Art and Frame, The Stillman Family, State Farm Insurance-Katonah, Douglas H. Treyz DMD, Country Home Service, JP Morgan Chase-Cross River, Vista Tennis Club, Cross River Pharmacy, Marshall Oil Company, Houlihan-Lawrence, Northeast Radiology, and MCEnergy Inc.

Start of the 10-K

The 10-K winner crosses the finish line

Trophies were awarded to the top finishers in each class.

Race results for the 10-K and 5-K races are available here.

Pee Wee Races a Hit

The seven-and-under kids had a great time running their own special races, "where every runner is a winner".

Children ran in age groupings, with a progressively longer course as the ages increased.

One of the more popular running techniques was to make a beeline for the finish line with head turned in the direction of mom and dad.

You are watching me, aren't you?

Children received an official race T-shirt, a race number, and blue ribbon. The Pee Wee Races were sponsored by Bacio Trattoria, Blair's Lawn Maintenance Inc., Connacher Design, C.W. Brown, Inc. General Contracting, Cross River Animal Hospital, Gossett Brothers Nursery, JNR Pharmacy of South Salem, Kelly Kochan, D.D.S., South Salem Enrichment, South Salem Center for Language and Learning, South Salem Nursery School Celebrating 40 Years!, Douglas A. Treyz, D.M.D., Visions Salon Center, The Casper Family, and The Jahn Family

Food, Crafts, and Games

While the races got underway, vendors and volunteers at the church grounds were busy selling coffee and pastry, and setting up craft displays.

The coffee crew serves it up!

After the races, burgers and dogs were the order of the day, keeping the grill crew flipping and serving the hungry crowd.

The kids always have a great time on the inflatable slide,

Doing the inflatable slide

moon bounce, and obstacle course, and this year was no exception. Although each kid has their own system, with arms up or down, eyes open or closed, you can always count on a smile at the end.

A smile at the end of the obstacle course

The petting zoo

won a penful of "best friends" for anyone that looked like they may be carrying food.

Silent Auction

This year, the silent auction included a Long Island Sound fishing trip on the Green Spider, a sailboard, gift baskets, gift certificates, games, furniture, digital pianos, skis, and many other items. As always, bidders all anxiously hoped that noone else would spot "their" item before the bidding closed.

Getting in a list-minute bid