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caption, page 1:
Super Fun
Top: Olive Macpherson, 2+, gets her face painted. Left: Everyone scrambles at the end of the Superhero Dash when the super soakers come out. More photos on page 4. Expanded photo page Wed. night on FB: Putnam Town Crier & Northeast Ledger. Linda Lemmon photos.
captions, page 4:
Two 'Branches' of Superhero
Nate Lowell, left, of the Putnam Fire Department, and Earl Rosebrooks (aka Superman), at the Superhero Dance Party.
Mayor Barney Seney dancing with Crystal Simonson (aka Batwoman)
The multitude of winners in the Superhero Costume Contest.
By Linda Lemmon
Town Crier Editor
PUTNAM … and Beyond — It started with a seed of an idea from Willie Bousquet, Putnam’s Parks and Recreation Department director.
And before you knew it downtown Putnam was inundated Aug. 5 with Superheroes of every stripe and size.
Earl Rosebrooks, co-chair of the Superhero Saturday committee, said about 2,500 people came downtown to enjoy the event. The event included a Superhero Dance Party, a Superhero Dash up Canal Street, vendors, demonstrations, music and more.
Rosebrooks said the real hero portion of the event was a “huge hit. Kids got to interact with our local heroes — teachers, doctors, nurses, veterans, EMTs, fire personnel, police and our mayor, Barney Seney (aka Captain Putnam).”
Good sport that he is, Seney visited the Super Soaker corner and was soaked within 30 seconds.
Gary Osbrey and WINY Radio MC’d the entire event which started with words from Captain Putnam and Putnam Business Association President Thomas Borner.
Co-chair Crystal Simonson said: “The Superhero Dash and Superhero Dance Party brought out the biggest and brightest smiles from all the children participating that I have ever seen! Everyone seemed to be truly happy, having fun, and extremely present in those moments, and it’s something I will never forget!“
Rosebrooks was impressed with the number of people — kids and adults — who came dressed up in costumes. “The amount of people who came dressed up in costumes was amazing as well — I’d like to think the adults had just as much fun as the kids did reliving and pretending to be heroes for a day!”
The winners of the costume contest included: Venom, Police Officer, DeLorean, Baby Wonder Woman, Spider Girl, Girl Hulk, Iron Man, Thor and Harley Quinn.
“As always, everyone in this community certainly comes together to make events such as this one ‘super’ successful and memorable! From our real heroes, superheroes, volunteers, vendors, sponsors, local businesses/organizations/restaurants, to the Putnam Business Association, committee members, the Town of Putnam/Recreation Department and all that supported this event in some way or another – we thank each and every one of you for a great Superhero Saturday event,” said Simonson.
Rosebrooks seconded Simonson’s thoughts. “The reasons for the success were the collaboration between the town, the PBA, the participating businesses, our hard-working committee and the perfect weather!”
He anticipates that the Superhero Saturday or a similar type festivity will become an annual event.
He added, “A huge thank you to all who came out —it was a blast!”
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