Tarrytown’s Third Friday Revitalized with Return of Tenured Organizers

by W.B. King

“This event was conceived and launched by Jenifer Ross in 2003 and grew and flowered,” said Rafter, who helped run the event from 2009 through 2012. “We want this [revamp] to be homegrown, fun and with a lot of participation from merchants and residents.”

Rafter explained that Third Friday was originally sponsored by the Tarrytown & Sleepy Hollow Arts Council, however, now it is supported by the Village of Tarrytown government and relies strongly on the Recreation Department, the Department of Public Works, Third Friday staff, merchants, and, of course, attendees.

“This event is about our community, which is diverse, generous, thriving, cultural, artistic and so many other wonderful things,” said Rafter. “Come celebrate with us every month during the Third Friday season of June through December.”
The official kickoff to the 2016 season will be held on June 17. Rafter said that she and Geoghegan have booked 30 ven- dors so far. In addition, live music will be performed by the Tarrytown All-Stars on South Washington Street. Other entertain- ers include Fantabulous Faces (face paint- ing) and balloon artist, Magic Bob; energy and vitality, once Third Friday’s hallmark, will be evidenced in the inner village once again.

“We have 30 vendors’ tables lined up,

which is phenomenal. We think that will get us up to the top of Main Street,” said Rafter, who has owned A Nu Toy Store on Main Street for the last eight years. “We hope in July (and moving forward) the number of vendors will increase so we can extend Third Friday down Broadway to what was T.F. Andrews and have a band in that area as well.”