Hardyston Day attracts large crowds

HARDYSTON — The township celebrated Hardyston Day over the course of two nights on Sept. 21-22.
The festivities began with the Kootz Band on Friday night. The Kootz band participates every year at the Hardyston festival.
Saturday was a beautiful day for the celebration of Hardyston Day that was held at the Hardyston Township Sports and Recreation Center. Mayor Carl Miller, Marianne Smith, Hardyston Township Manager, and Santo Verilli, deputy mayor, were at the festival to enjoy the events of the day. The Hardyston Township Police Department and Fire Department were also at the event.
Nicole Verga was crowned Miss Hardyston in the beginning of this year. She also competed at the Queen of the Fair Pageant in August 2018 where Verga came in in the top six semifinalist. Verga is a senior at Wallkill Valley Regional High School.
“I think my academic standing and my involvement in the community in my school," Verga said. "My goal is to stay in the top percentage of my class where I am right now and to continue to be involved in the music department. I am the choir president and I really love our musicals and I’m in the band as well.”
Verga's goal for college is to go into music and also thinking about studying music therapy and music theatre.
At the opposite side of the field was an inflatable Toy Story bouncing houses for the children.
Mountainside Stables from Lafayette provided a petting zoo that had baby goats, chickens, baby chicks, rabbits and alpacas’. Pony rides were also available for the children. There was also a demonstration from the seasoned members of the Master Ken’s Extreme Martial Arts Center in Hamburg, New Jersey.
There were many vendors selling jewelry, clothing from specialty stores, and many other items to purchase or just enjoy. The menu was a choice of hamburgers, hot dogs, meatball sandwiches, soft drinks, water and funnel cakes.
The Kootz band played at the end of Hardyston Day to top off the event.