We’ve been celebrating Copake’s Bicentennial all summer. It's all happening right here, so bring your family and friends to celebrate!
“Come Home to Copake” Picnic - Saturday, July 13
Whether you live in Copake now, whether you moved from Copake a few years ago or whether you lived here years ago, you are invited to “Come Home to Copake” on Saturday, July 13, 2024 when, as part of Copake’s bicentennial celebration, the town will host a day-long picnic event at the Copake Memorial Park.
Starting at 11:00am and lasting all day until 8:00pm, the picnic will include live music, sack races, storytelling, a baking contest to be judged by Nancy Fuller, Columbia Cruiser car show, and a local artists showcase. When you arrive you will be given a sign on which you can write your family name and the years that you lived in Copake. You will receive a stake so that you can plant your sign next to your lawn chair so that neighbors you have not seen in years will be able to find you.
There will be live music all day, with bands performing from the newly constructed band shell. Dick Stabler will perform from 12 noon until 2:00pm. The Ghent Band will take the stage at 2:00pm, and then Dick Stabler will perform again from 4:00pm until 6:00pm. “Night Train” will perform at 6:00pm.
You may bring your own picnic, but food prepared by local churches will also be available to purchase. Chicken barbecue dinners prepared by the Copake Fire Department will be available at 5:00pm in the Park Building. The dinners must be ordered in advance. Tickets may be purchased from Bicentennial Committee members or by calling Liana Jensen at 518-755-8833.
Bicentennial Parade and Party - Saturday, August 17
Rain Date: August 18
The finale of the bicentennial celebration will be a parade in the Hamlet of Copake, followed by a celebration at Catamount. The parade will line up at 2:30pm by the Copake Fire Department on Center Hill Road and will step off at 3:00pm. All local organizations and businesses are invited to participate in the parade. Grand marshalls are former supervisor Angelo Valentino, former town clerk Vana Hotaling, Flora Bergquist and Edgar Masters. To register for the parade write to CopakeParade@gmail.com
The grounds at Catamount will open at 5:00pm. Attendees are welcome to bring picnic dinners or may purchase food and drink at Catamount. There will be live music and chairlift rides. The evening and the celebration will conclude with fireworks.