As fireworks light up the sky and families gather to celebrate, we wish everyone in the Lake Huntington community a safe and happy Fourth of July! This holiday is a time to reflect on the freedoms we enjoy, appreciate the beauty of our small-town traditions, and spend time with the people who matter most. Whether you're attending a local parade, enjoying a backyard barbecue, relaxing by the lake, or watching fireworks with friends and neighbors, we hope your holiday weekend is filled with laughter, gratitude, and lasting memories.

Here are some events happening in our community and beyond:

The Town of Cochecton is celebrating America’s 250th anniversary with a special summer-long series, Cochecton Celebrates America’s 250th: Five Events, One Community, 250 Years of History. Residents and visitors are invited to attend five free community gatherings highlighting the history, stories, and unique character of the town’s hamlets. Each event begins at 1 p.m. and features local history presentations, opportunities to meet neighbors, refreshments, and family-friendly activities.

The celebration continues on Sunday, July 12, with a program focused on the Hamlet of Fosterdale at the Cochecton Town Hall in Lake Huntington. Guests will learn about the history of Fosterdale while collecting another stamp in their Cochecton Passport and entering raffles for locally donated prizes.

The fourth event, scheduled for Sunday, August 9, will spotlight the history of Lake Huntington and feature the highly anticipated opening of the 1976 Time Capsule. This special community event offers a rare opportunity to look back at local history through items preserved nearly 50 years ago. Organizers expect the time capsule opening to be one of the highlights of the entire celebration series.

The final event will take place on Sunday, August 30, in the Hamlet of Cochecton at the Cochecton Men’s Club Community Hall and Ball Field. The program will explore the history of the hamlet and encourage attendees to bring their own stories, photographs, and memories to share. Organizers have even hinted that the legendary "Uncle Bob" may make a special appearance.

Throughout the summer, attendees can participate in the “Cochecton Passport” program by collecting a stamp at each event. Those who attend all five gatherings and submit their completed passport will be eligible for a commemorative prize. Participants can also enter raffles for gifts donated by local businesses, with additional chances to win earned by attending multiple events.

All programs are free and open to the public. Community members and visitors alike are encouraged to come together to celebrate Cochecton’s rich history, honor the nation’s 250th anniversary, and strengthen the connections that make this community special.

If you have a local business that would like to be spotlighted in an upcoming column, please get in touch! Please email jenn@jennpowelldesigns.com with any news, events, and happenings. You can also find me online at rustic-road.com.