A Weekend In West Nyack

On Saturday, Oct. 19th join the “Tour of Historic Homes and Landmarks in West Nyack,” that Heritage of West Nyack is co-sponsoring with the Historical Society of Rockland. On Sunday, Oct. 20th, Heritage and the Town of Clarkstown are co-hosting a Fall Festival.

Heritage of West Nyack Vice President Madeline Muller said the non-profit organization planned the events to bring attention to the historic Budke/Traphagen Property and other significant sites in West Nyack and other parts of Clarkstown. She said West Nyack has not had a civic type organization in years and people wanted to start one because of the planned West Nyack hamlet center revitalization.  

The self-guided tour will look at historically significant buildings including eclectic and charming residences. Advance tickets for the 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. tour cost $35 and reservations are recommended. Participants have the option of having lunch at The Clarksville Inn. Advance tickets for the tour plus lunch are $45; tickets purchased on the day of the event for the tour plus lunch cost $50. 

The afternoon of Fall Festival activities at the Traphagen, Vanderbilt/Budke Estate at 131 Germonds Road will include pumpkin picking, decorating and painting, a petting zoo and pony rides provided by Nickel-O-Farms, children’s games, honeybee presentation by Ron Breland and mini golf at the adjacent Germonds Park. There will be a charge for the pumpkins and pumpkin painting The festival will take place from 1 to 5 p.m. and nearby parking is available for free at Germonds Park.

The festival will emphasize the historic features of the property with Chuck Stead of Cornell Cooperative Extension discussing the proposed restoration of the Vanderbilt/Budke house. The schedule of activities includes Storytelling at 1:30 p.m., a Walk through the meadow, Paul Tappenden at 2 p.m., Face Painting by Party by Lisa from 2:30 to 4 p.m. and Line Dancing Demonstration and Group Participation by Kathy Everhardt from 2:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Heritage will sell cider, donuts and bottled water and a food vendor will be selling other types of beverages and snacks. Learn more about the festival here www.town.clarkstown.ny.us or by calling 845-639-2056. The rain date is Sunday, Oct. 27.