The Spirit of Beacon Day’s Level Up announcement. In this picture is Don Raskopf, A dedicated community member and lover of the Hudson Valley River who served as a Board Member of Hudson River Sloop Clearwater who passed away in 2023.

The Spirit of Beacon Committee is back from last year, and has announced the theme for 2023: “Level Up.” The celebration is on Sunday, September 24, 2023 from 11am-4pm.

The Spirit Of “Level Up”

Get a hat to show your Beacon Spirit! Purchase online and free Beacon delivery is available by a volunteer.

The theme for 2023 is “Level Up,” was originated by Spirit Board Secretary Jeana Pearl Fletcher. The intent of the committee is to empower the Beacon community to continue pushing through to keep the spirit of Beacon strong and flowing through everyone. Said the Spirit of Beacon’s Chair, Katie Hellmuth: “Whatever that spirit is to you, be it advocacy for people to be able to afford to stay here, or to have more employment and learning opportunities, or to create visions by bringing them to life, let the Level Up energy blow through you this Spirit of Beacon season.”

Said the Spirit Committee Secretary Jeana Pearl Fletcher: “Level Up is a pump-up message to challenge myself with something new, like a goal or event, and embrace lessons learned. It can be a collective practice too!”

The Spirit of Beacon’s Treasurer, Jennifer Garfield Abrams, felt this: “There are so may people in the community who work on different projects to ensure that it’s the best Beacon it can be. Sometimes our visions for Beacon’s ‘leveling up’ are different, but the important thing is that we come together across that difference to work towards an even more thriving community.”

Said Spirit of Beacon Board Member, Junior Zayed Dabashi about the theme: “To me, Leveling Up means to elevate our everyday efforts to better our present and strengthen the future for our youth.”

Organizations Are Signing Up For Tables To Reach The Community

Over 20 organizations have secured their registrations so far, including Conservation Advisory Committee, Growing and Empowering Myself and My Sisters Inc., Patriot Swim Team and M2O swim, Salem Tabernacle, Astor Services, Christ Church, United Methodist and others. Organizations can be outside of Beacon, as long as they reach and connect with the youth and connect the community.

After School Clubs Encouraged To Set Up A Table

For the first time, After School Clubs of the Beacon City School District are being specifically asked to consider coming out with a table. “Our kids are familiar with these clubs that provide so much enrichment to our kids,” said Katie. “We want to bring them out of the schools and into the street so that the community can meet them and talk to the teachers who are so passionate about these groups, that they dedicate their time after school to host them.”

Said Jeana: “We have waved the registration fee for After School Clubs and reserved at last 10 table spots for them, if they want to level up and come out. Register now!” These clubs can include STEM groups, tech groups, sports groups, home economics groups, gender welcoming groups, theater, etc.

Beacon Restaurants and Food Vendors Encouraged To Sign Up

Also for the first time, Beacon’s restaurants and Beacon-based food vendors are encouraged to register as a food provider. In the past, churches and organizations provided and sold food as a fundraiser. But in the past few years, the winds of change have impacted that effort. This 2023 Committee has made the decision to open registrations to food vendors from inside Beacon first, and if there are still openings, then outside of Beacon as well.

Said Katie: “It is imperative that our Beacon restaurants on Main Street benefit from the foot traffic on Main Street from people attending the Spirit of Beacon Day. Last year, the restaurants did very well because most food was in their shops. Based on feedback from last year, the people want street food on the street. So we are hoping our Beacon restaurants can provide by also setting up a table on Main Street. If not, then another Beacon-based business can register, and if still room, vendors from outside of Beacon. We’ll see who signs up! Regardless, people can be mingling in the tables, and turn right around to walk inside to a Beacon restaurant for a delicious meal. To-go or sit-down. I ordered to-go from BAJA last year!”