[dropcap]I[/dropcap] am happy to announce that Harrison will soon be offering a farmers market to residents and visitors. This is a wonderful opportunity that will provide a marketplace that introduces local farmers and other food producers to our community. The market will be located in front of the Harrison Public Library and will promote sustainable farming, healthy foods, and environmental awareness, and will support existing local businesses. The market will open in June and will feature local, natural farm products and crafts. Most of the vendors come from within 100 miles of the market. I encourage all residents to stop by and support this exciting new enterprise.
Be sure to mark your calendar for this year’s Japanese Festival. On Sunday, May 21 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Harrison’s Japanese community will be hosting a Harrison-Japan Spring Festival in Ma Riis Park and the Sollazzo Center. If it rains, the event will take place in the Veterans Building. Traditional Japanese performances, including a tea ceremony and Japanese drums and dance, will be featured along with Japanese games, food and beverages. There will also be a raffle and profits will benefit Westchester County and the victims of Japan’s earthquake and tsunami. I hope to see many friends, and familiar faces supporting this very worthwhile event. For more information, visit thematsuri.org.
As a reminder, please join the Town/Village of Harrison for a celebration of Amelia Earhart on Saturday, May 13. Harrison will pay forward its historic resident’s passion as an aviation visionary and mentor to young women and men with a conference exploring corporate visions and career opportunities. The conference will be followed by a tribute to Earhart at her monument in Station Park (to the left of Town Hall). The conference will take place from 9 a.m. to noon at the Harrison Public Library. Immediately following, join residents at the Amelia Earhart monument where students and guests will exhibit and perform related works and speak about Earhart’s contributions. Local leaders will officiate a rededication ceremony. For more information, visit harrisonpl.org/Amelia.
Memorial Day will be celebrated this year on Monday, May 29 and I would like to invite our community to attend Harrison’s annual parade. We will be honoring the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in the cause for freedom. The participants will line up at 9:30 a.m. on Halstead Avenue, at the corner of Thatcher Avenue. The step-off time will be at 10 a.m. Parade participants include veterans groups, Harrison police and fire departments, the Harrison Ambulance Corps, and a variety of other civic groups. I hope to see many residents joining us on this most important day.
