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September 29, 2012
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Balloon festival survives weather
This Week
BARGAIN HUNTING
ELIZABETHTOWN
IN WARRENSBURG
Antique toys at history museum
By Thom Randall thom@denpubs.com
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GLENS FALLS — Despite contrary weather that scuttled several launches, the 40th edition of the Adirondack Balloon Festival was a rousing success and well attended, the event’s CEO said soon after it concluded its four day run Sept. 23. “Thursday’s kickoff event in Crandall Park was the biggest ever and Friday brought the biggest crowd in history to the airport,” he said, referring to the Floyd Bennett Airport in Queensbury where most of the weekend’s events were held. While persistent wind routinely kept most balloons grounded over many of the scheduled launches, Saturday morning the full contingent of 100-plus balloons took to the air before heavy rain hampered activities Saturday night. The clear, still air Sunday morning prompted another mass ascension of 50+ balloons, in honor of festival founder Walt Grishkot, who CONTINUED ON PAGE 17
EDITORIAL
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PUBLISHER’S COLUMN
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HISTORY COLUMN
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THURMAN
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BOLTON
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OUTDOORS
CALENDAR CLASSIFIEDS
Photo by Thom Randall
By Thom Randall thom@denpubs.com WARRENSBURG — Over three decades, a local community event has earned national notoriety. It’s not merely a matter of its colossal size, its the nature of the beast that consumes Warrensburg for one weekend — no, almost a full week now —
each autumn. The World’s Largest Garage Sale has set records and launched knock-off events. It’s helped local families cope with winter fuel bills or depleted 401k’s. It’s earned its place in the Guinness Book of Records. Most of all, it’s given Warrensburg a measure of fame. The event occurs over an extended weekend during which a mass of humanity and vehicles swallow this
By Thom Randall thom@denpubs.com WARRENSBURG — With the colossal annual World’s Largest Garage Sale approaching, two of its founders took some time Tuesday to reflect on how the sale got started 32
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years ago. The massive event grew out of a local Chamber of Commerce committee formed to devise a way to boost local commerce, Steve Parisi recalled this week. Thirty-three years ago, Parisi and Jane LeCount, until recently a real estate broker, and Gene Magee of Thurman and
IN POLITICS
peaceful, laid-back town for a frenzy of bargain hunting. Its popularity is unquestionable, considering a swarming mile-long crowd annually browses amongst wares from hundreds of vendors and items at 1,000 or more garage sales in the vicinity. Whether it’s collectibles, specialty or distressed goods, vehicle parts, antiques, old toys, vintage jewelry, CONTINUED ON PAGE 17
Owens, Doheny spar in debate PAGE 15
Merlin Hathaway — founder of Daggett Lake Campgrounds, shared their strategies at a meeting held at Hathaway’s home. “The idea was to figure out how to get people to stop in Warrensburg on Columbus Day weekend rather than driving right through,” Parisi said, noting suggestions like a kayak race
were shared. “I thought, what do Warrensburg residents really do best, and the thought came to me — a community garage sale — Warrensburg residents don’t ski or kayak — but they love garage sales.” In 1980, the debut edition was called the “First Annual Street Sale and Flea Market.” CONTINUED ON PAGE 17
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Massive sale to consume Warrensburg
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During a recent year’s edition of the World’s Largest Garage Sale, young shoppers stroll between vendor’s booths along Main St. in Warrensburg. During the weekend sale — set for Saturday, Sept. 29 and Sunday, Sept. 30 this year — traffic along Main St. is routinely backed up for miles.
Burghers stun Salem in football
Garage sale started out as small community event
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