The village of Margaretville is throwing a party to celebrate its 150th birthday.
According to a news release, the village invites residents and visitors to play, shop, eat, drink and dance in the middle of Main Street from 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday, July 26. The street will be partially closed for the “Birthday Block Party,” which celebrates the 150th anniversary of the village’s incorporation as the local governing body back in 1875. Parking will be available in municipal lots off Bridge Street, Walnut Street and Church Street.
The event will begin at 4 p.m. when a photograph will be taken of everyone who gathers in front of the iconic 1850 Bussy Building at the corner of Walnut and Main, the release stated. The community snapshot, in the tradition of those taken in 1979 and 2000, will record the moment in Margaretville’s history. To be part of the special commemoration, those interested should be there no later than 4 p.m. People may come as they are or wear a commemorative T-shirt, available at the Happy Giraffe and at the Block Party.
Sue’s Garage, a seven-member band, will play ‘60s and ‘70s rock music from 4:30 to 7 p.m. on the sidewalk next to Pressing Matters, a vinyl music store, so party-goers can dance in the middle of Main Street, which will be closed from the traffic light to beyond NBT, the release stated.
According to the release, most businesses will stay open late, offering sidewalk sales, special activities and raffles. Food and beverages will be available from several local businesses. The Margaretville Central School Class of 2028 will sell soda and sweets.
The Andes-Margaretville-Roxbury Open Studios Art Tour is also July 26 and galleries in Margaretville will be part of the tour, the release stated.
Vintage and antique vehicles will be on display in the NBT parking lot. Next door, at Fairview Public Library, fun stations for children will be set up, including a floral craft workshop. A Tiny Art Show and a children’s book sale are planned at the library as well, according to the release.
Margaretville Hospital staff will be with Westchester Medical Center’s Mobile Medical Unit to offer health screenings and wellness information, the release stated. At 850 Main St., Studio Upstate will team up with Twisted Sister Yoga to offer free 15-minute yoga sessions at 4:30 and 5:30 p.m., followed by a sound bath demonstration at 6 p.m.
Attendees will have one last day to participate in a Visual Scavenger Hunt and see how many of the architectural and sign details they can spy before the answers are posted on the Historical Society of the Town of Middletown’s website. Forms are available at the library and the Municipal Building. Those submitted at the block party will be eligible for prizes.
The doors of the Municipal Building will be open so visitors can view a permanent exhibit of photographs of Margaretville in earlier days, the release stated. A display about the Galli-Curci Theater, its builder and its namesake will also be set up. Representatives of the historical society will be there to answer questions and promote upcoming events at the Middletown History Center.
People portraying characters from Margaretville’s past will stroll along the street, engaging in conversation about their lives and the development of the village.
The party will continue at 7:30 p.m. with a concert by vocalist Gina Hanzlik and violist Anna Stromer at the Margaretville Methodist Church at Church Street, a block off Main Street. “Margaretville Memoir” will explore the past century and-a-half of music, from opera to folk songs, classical to pop standards. Admission is by donation.
Mayor John Hubbell, with trustees Iris Mead, Sarah Hubbell, Dave Budin and Jeff Warren; the Central Catskills Chamber of Commerce, and the Historical Society of the Town of Middletown are spearheading the birthday celebration, the release stated.
For more information, visit villageofmargaretville.com or mtownhistory.org.