ORANGE COUNTY, N.Y.–Residents and families from the Tri-State area gathered in Deerpark last weekend to celebrate American values and toast the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army.
The America the Beautiful Festival was held at New Century, a 40-acre event venue in Deerpark, a town near Port Jervis. The area around Deerpark, Port Jervis, and Minisink has historical and military significance dating back to the Revolutionary War.
New Century and The Epoch Times co-presented the two-day, family-friendly event in partnership with the National Guard.
Festival-goers got lucky with the weather, although the forecast had predicted rain for both days. Under cloudy skies and cool weather, country performers sang classics and patriotic songs, and speakers gave rousing speeches.
Marine veteran Dave Bray, country star Coffey Anderson, and local talents like the Black Dirt Bandits and Katy Mantyk performed on stage at the festival.
Other attractions included an essay contest offering over $3,000 in prizes, an art contest, a car show allowing local car enthusiasts to show off their passion projects, and a commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army by honorary speaker Brig. Gen. (Ret.) Donald C. Bolduc.
The festival also featured many food stalls and vendors. A new addition for this third year of the event was carnival rides, including a ferris wheel, a merry-go-round, and more.
James White, co-organizer of the event, told The Epoch Times: “It’s just a small way to say thank you to all the amazing servicemen and women. They’ve done so much for us, for the first responders and our active military that put their lives on the line for strangers, for all Americans, and to protect our way of life and the freedoms that we enjoy every day.”
White has relatives who fought in both World War II and the Vietnam War.
American Legion representative Col. (Ret.) Christopher Holshek spoke on stage about a youth development program the American Legion is promoting, fostering growth, patriotism, and American values.
Holshek is concerned that those patriotic values, our country’s “North Star,” are something that younger generations don’t understand well enough.
“There’s a North Star. And it’s rested on the foundations on which this country was created. But unfortunately, in the last couple of generations, we’ve not done a really good job of teaching our younger generation about the importance of service,” he said.
Holshek was one of the veterans who were honored to cut the U.S. Army birthday cake on stage at the event.
Middletown resident and machine learning engineer Jacky Guan told The Epoch Times the festival was “so much better” this year. He came back for “a lot of stands, a lot of good food,” the music, and the nightly fireworks display.
Guan reflected on what the theme “America the Beautiful” meant to him, saying: “We should be proud of [America], and there’s lots of things to be proud of. It’s very beautiful.
“It’s like whether it is about being able to express who you are, however you want, or just being able to come to this country that is also very beautiful, like the nature, the scenery, everything. Yeah, it’s great.”
Local singer-songwriter Katy Mantyk told The Epoch Times how she felt about “America the Beautiful” after her performance. “It’s the best thing that we could be celebrating in America right now. Just loving it. Cherishing it,” she said.
“It’s a beautiful place. Beautiful people. The freedom we have here is really, really valid and important. It’s something that we should keep fighting for. It’s something that we should hold on to, and cherish.”
