Photos by A. Warner and N. Bower

By Karen Talbot

Oct. 4, 2023: Hundreds gathered on the lawns in front of Bronxville Village Hall and the Bronxville Library to attend and have fun at Bronxville's 125th Anniversary celebration on October 1, 2023.

Children were encouraged to pick up a passport and get it stamped as they visited the Bronxville Library, "Bronxville in 1898," "Find a Village Official," the Green Committee, "First Responders Row" at Palumbo Place, and the Police Department. They were rewarded with a trophy from the Police Department after completing the six stops.

Tables on the street in front of Village Hall had displays from the Bronxville Adult School, the Writing Institute and Early Childhood Center of Sarah Lawrence College, the Working Gardeners, the Reformed Church, Concordia Conservatory, Bronxville School Foundation, and The Picture House.

Special 125th Anniversary water containers, T-shirts, and umbrellas were for sale on the lawn of Village Hall. Food and drink were available free of charge. Ladle of Love donated veggies and dip, the Bronxville Diner offered lemonade and chocolate chip cookies, and the Police Department barbequed hot dogs, hamburgers, and souvlaki skewers, compliments of Opa Fresh Greek.

The Bronxville Conservancy, which in 2018 celebrated "20 Years of Appreciating and Preserving Bronxville's History," had an informative exhibit showing the history of Bronxville along with a table of their eight publications which are being sold this week at Womrath's bookshop at a 10% discount. A screen also featured a drone visual of important landmarks in the village.

Tables on the street in front of the Bronxville Library included Christ Church with free bagels, The Community Fund, the Bronxville Beautification Council, the Women's Club, Gramatan Village, the Junior League, the Bronxville Senior Citizens, The Nature Preserve and Friends of the Bronxville Public Library.

Children were painting miniature pumpkins to take home, and the Youth Community Fund provided storytime.

Congratulations to Lisa Rao, Committee Chair, Mayor Mary Marvin, and Village Trustees Mary Taylor Behrens and Helen Knapp for organizing the festival.

Mayor Marvin commented that the festival "absolutely exceeded my wildest expectation. The most important part for me was the camaraderie, rekindling of old friendships, and new and old villagers getting acquainted. The feeling of community connectivity and warmth was palpable!" 

Upcoming Events:

Oct. 5th from 6 to 8:30pm, the Writing Institute of Sarah Lawrence is presenting a craft talk with bestselling author Jami Attenberg at the Barbara Walters Campus Center.

Oct. 5th, the Junior League is recruiting for new members.

Oct. 22nd from 2 to 4pm, The Mary B. Turino Art Show & Lecture in the Yeager Room at the Library.

Also, the Friends of the Bronxville Public Library is fundraising to secure $700,000 for a new outdoor space of a multi-functional patio, enabling patrons to enjoy the Library both inside and outside.

Below are some photos from the wonderful celebration!  Photos by A. Warner and N. Bower.