Bowdoin Park’s Third Annual Boots by the Bandshell Does it Again!
Wappingers Falls’ was lively as ever Saturday evening, with ‘Boots by the Bandshell’ celebrating their third annual country-themed jamboree at Bowdoin Park’s pavilion. “We’re just so happy to be here and keep the party going,” said DoubleDeeDuke; the dancing instructor who started October 14th off at 3:30–5 p.m. with line dancing lessons.
One of the fan favorites of the night were dances like Ed Sheeran’s ‘Shivers’, which had the auditorium’s ballroom twisting around, while Paul Russell’s ‘Lil Boo Thang’ dance made a stomp in the wood that sounded oh so good! Even as the dances grew more complicated, families and friends continued to have a ball; laughing at one another when they did a twist instead of a scuff or when they just threw in the towel all together. “Well our friend is a professional dancer,” said Nicole Fremer; a college student who came to Bowdoin with her group of friends to enjoy the night’s festivities. “We’re all just trying not to step on each other’s toes while she’s teaching us the dance we all just learned!”
Once 5 p.m. rolled around, DoubleDeeDuke passed the reins off to the Thunder Ridge Band’s lead guitarist Chris Walsh for last minute sound checks and tune ups. Then from 5–7:45 p.m., Bowdoin Park’s auditorium became a fiddle-whittling, live-music concert, for everyone to dance as they pleased, or perfect their newly learned line dancing skills.
Even with the presence of rain, the festivities weren’t limited to inside the auditorium. Outside, food trucks provided southern-inspired food like crispy loaded chili cheese fries, as well as chicken and waffles. A campfire and s’mores making station allowed kids to join in on the fun. Tents were also propped up to insure a dry place for playing games like Jumbo Jenga, Cornhole, and Connect Seven. “I honestly couldn’t be happier with the turnout,” said Susanne O’Neil; Director of the Bowdoin Park’s department for public programs. “I had a blast, my family had a blast, and from looking around at everyone else here, I think this event will stay at Bowdoin for the next few years to come.”
