Fireworks show offers sense of community

CHESTER — People tossed frisbees and beach balls around Chester’s Carpenter Park last Saturday evening while waiting for the fireworks extravaganza to begin. Clearly a sense of community was in the air, and not just play toys. The town’s annual fireworks spectacle resumed last year after a 10-year hiatus. And when the show began, viewers of the pyrotechnic display were not disappointed. They cheered happily whenever the sky lit up with rainbow colors. This year, vendors were invited to sell food and wares, yet only a few tents were set up for business. Smoke billowed from the back of the Walton Engine & Hose Company’s firehouse. But fire hoses weren’t required — the smoke was the fragrant result of hot dogs and hamburgers being grilled by volunteer members. “So far, so good,” said Mark Thomas, fire department president, when asked how sales were going. “It’s still early but it’s good.” All proceeds will benefit the fire department and its community work. But, Thomas said, the barbecue is also a way to raise awareness about the fire department. “People know who we are, but they don’t know we’re volunteers,” he said. Business was much slower at the Town of Chester Police Benevolent tent at the other end of the field. PBA vice-president David Slowik wasn’t sure if the location was the problem, or that it was simply too early in the evening. But like the fire department, the PBA’s mission at the fireworks show was to let residents know how involved the police department for those who live in the area. “We’re here to raise money for our causes,” said Slowik. Among other causes, the town PBA hosts the annual Easter egg hunt at the Chester Commons Park and contributes to the all-night graduation parties for Chester, Warwick, and Monroe-Woodbury, “the school districts where our town kids attend,” Slowick said. “We’re trying to find other ways to raise money and help the community,” he said. “The people we help love us. The people we arrest don’t. But we’re not just here for that. We’re here to help.” New neighbors, old friends People arrived with blankets, coolers, and lawn chairs as the sounds of the Beach Boys, Billy Joel and country western singers filled the air from a music system set up behind the fire department. Adults staked out their spots and kept busy with snacks and drinks while the younger children ran around. “I love fireworks and I love the colors,” said Goshen resident Brooke Hendricks, age 9, who was there with her family. “I am excited to stay up late, but I’m more excited to see the fireworks.” Some family groups were quite extensive. Sixteen members of Chester resident Diza Montero’s family from the Bronx came up to see the show, joining her husband and two children. “We came last year and had a good time,” said Montero. “It’s like a block party atmosphere.” Montero relocated to Chester from the Bronx last year. The move was good for her family, she said. “Being here is good for my kids,” she said. “It’s a better life for my children. You get to know people and your neighbors. You don’t have that hustle-bustle anymore. I find that my extended family spends a lot of time up here.” For Montero, community events like the fireworks display are good for her family and others because “we get exposed to other people in the community. It’s nice to see. It’s very family-oriented here.” Slowik agreed. “It’s a sense of community,” he said. “It’s getting people from the community and other areas together. It also highlights Chester and how the town wants to have a family night and some good clean fun. It’s a nice night and it’s absolutely free.” In the mix of busy lives, the fireworks was a welcome opportunity for people who don’t have the opportunity to get together as often as they’d like, as in the case of three Goshen High school graduates - Joe Dise, Kelley English, and Lauren Brogan — who met up with each other at the show. Dise just graduated from the New York Institute of Technology in Manhattan and English from Lasell College in Massachusetts. Dise is now working as an electrical engineer in New York, while English works for Dana Distributors in Goshen. Brogan is a student at Mount St. Mary College in Newburgh “I get to hang out with my friends, watch the fireworks and have a beer...which I don’t know if I’m allowed to do,” English said. Dise relaxed with a cigar while lounging in a lawn chair. The evening “lets people get out and relax,” he said. Brogan said she was away for the fourth of July and welcomed this chance to celebrate. “This is like an extended holiday,” she said. “We don’t get together anymore. We’re old now. Everyone just got real jobs this year.”