STEPS FOR A CAUSE Hikers get instructions prior to the start of the Liberty Fall Festival 5K hike up Walnut Mountain in the village. Alyssa Thalmann photo
Liberty festival welcomes fall
By Americus Mott | Manor Ink
HAYRIDES, TOO Kids and parents with pumpkins from the pumpkin patch. Town of Liberty Parks and Recreation photo
Liberty, NY – It was a beautiful day on Walnut Mountain for the Liberty Fall Festival. It took place on Saturday, Sept. 19, and was organized by Liberty Central School’s Interact Club Advisor Alyssa Thalmann, the School’s Community/School Coordinator Katyln Rusin and the Town of Liberty Parks & Recreation Department.
The day started at 9 a.m. with a 5K hike in memory of Michelle Behrman, a former middle school guidance counselor. Pink shirts were worn by the hikers and all the volunteers.
The event was free to all and children received hay rides to a pumpkin patch where they could choose a pumpkin to take home. Kids also had fun in the corn maze and with games provided by the organizers, while their parents perused the many booths featuring service organizations and vendors offering food and craft items.
Proceeds from the hike benefited Rotary’s Snack Pack program and Ride-2-Survive, the volunteer organization that provides transportation for cancer patients.